Back to Water scarcity

Advice for abstractors

Everyone is strongly encouraged to build water resilience into their business as this can help with plans for the future. Planning for water scarcity and taking the right steps now will help reduce the impact of water scarcity in the future.

Protect your business from water scarcity

Through the efficient use of water, businesses can save money and increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions. We advise all abstractors to be aware of the potential risk of water scarcity, and for businesses to plan ahead:

• Always monitor your water usage and plan for managing it efficiently in a range of conditions, with equipment kept in good working order. 
• Understand the risk of water scarcity in your area and to your business.
• Review your current infrastructure and work out the costs and benefits of abstraction and the value of water to your business – this will help you to plan investments in equipment and infrastructure.
• Consider if there are more innovative ways of working that would improve your water use efficiency?

Businesses must follow conditions in abstraction permits and are advised to plan ahead now to avoid issues later in the year.

Contingency planning

Good preparation in advance of water scarcity is key to minimising potential impacts on your business. Having a contingency plan in place will allow your business to better cope where water sources become restricted, for example, if abstraction volume restrictions are put in place to protect the aquatic environment. Consider aspects such as:

• Have you any stored water available? If not can you take action, such as building an irrigation lagoon to provide an alternative source.
• Can you switch to an alternative abstraction point or source, if available within your current authorisation?  Speak to SEPA about amending your authorisation if switching sources is an option.
• Can you temporarily switch to ground water? (either via the full application route or for use only in times of water scarcity) Please contact us for help and advice.

Managing water scarcity

The summer months are a crucial time of year for water demand. Abstractors and irrigators are advised to manage water wisely to minimise the need for restrictions and make best use of what water is available:

• Check our regular water scarcity reports so you are aware of the water situation in your area
• Regularly check your abstraction equipment to make sure it’s in good condition and fix any leaks straight away
• Where possible, reduce the volume and rate of your abstractions
• Work with neighbours to minimise and stagger abstractions to make best use of available water
• Review your contingency plan to understand what measures you can take to minimise the impacts of water scarcity.

Abstractors must record abstraction volumes, including nil return. Download the data returns form.

Further support and useful links

• View best practice for irrigators
• In the National Water Scarcity Plan we set out how we will work with water users (authorised abstractors and recreational users) and key organisations, such as Scottish Water, to manage water resources during periods of low rainfall
• View Significant water scarcity guidance which sets out how we will apply Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan (NWSP) in relation to authorised abstractions within catchments determined as being at Significant water scarcity. 
• Find information on water efficiency measures at Farm Advisory Service, UK Irrigation Association, Farming & Water Scotland and NetRegs
• View application forms page to apply to switch from river abstraction to groundwater abstraction (water scarcity). 
• View application forms page to apply for temporary abstractions (water scarcity).
• Information on applying for new permanent abstractions
• View SEPA's latest news

Finding information about other water supplies:

• Private water supplies - Information on how to look after your domestic or commercial private water supplies is available from the Scottish Government
• Public water supplies – Scottish Water provides advice about water efficient and can answer enquiries about public water supplies