FAQs for abstractors

Yes, but only if necessary to protect the environment. Our National Water Scarcity Plan says that if conditions reach Significant Scarcity, then temporary suspension or varying of abstractions is possible. Every effort is made to make information available in advance to allow water abstractors to make decisions about their upcoming water needs. By following best practice and working together the available resource can be prolonged to avoid the need for restrictions.

Some abstractions may not need to be restricted or suspended as they are either; low volume, for drinking water supplies, are taken from groundwater, or where the abstracted water is returned to the same watercourse a short distance downstream.  Further information on these potential exclusions is available in our significant water scarcity guidance.  

Significant water scarcity is when river flows have been very low for 30 or more days. When rivers remain at low flows for an extended period they are highly sensitive to further reductions of flow and/or abstraction, with a heightened risk of severe, long-lasting ecological impact. River levels and flows are measured and calibrated at a group of SEPA gauging stations, each used as a representation of the conditions over an area, called a significant water scarcity area. The areas and representative gauging stations are displayed in SEPA's Drought Risk Assessment Tool. Significant water scarcity areas are smaller than the areas for water scarcity level as it’s important to be as representative as possible and avoid unnecessary restrictions to a wider, less impacted area. 

It is important to stay informed on the lead up to a significant water scarcity event as this can help users prepare and understand the risk. Our weekly water scarcity reports inform users of the water scarcity level on a scale going from Normal, Early Warning, Alert, Moderate, Significant. 

This tool shows the number of days in a row that river flows have been very low and can be used in combination with the weekly water scarcity report to understand the risk of reaching significant water scarcity. The drought risk assessment tool updates daily at 9:30 GMT so abstractors can keep an eye on the number of days for their representative gauging station and manage water wisely.

When the 30-day point is reached, SEPA may vary or suspend abstraction licences, to minimise the long-term harm to the environment. View our guidance on temporary suspension of authorised abstractions during significant water scarcity.  

• Weekly water scarcity reports
• Advice for abstractors and irrigators
• The Drought Risk Assessment Tool showing the number of days that rivers have been very low.
• SEPA rainfall data

Start planning now so you have thought about contingency options before conditions worsen. If you are having difficulty maintaining a water supply and/ or meeting the conditions in your current authorisation, then please contact us at the earliest opportunity at waterscarcity@sepa.org.uk

If you are able to switch your supply temporarily to a groundwater supply then that option is available. Temporary abstractions are also an option where the resource is available. Another option is to create an irrigation lagoon, where water is abstracted into it during times of plenty and used for irrigation during periods of scarcity.

See our advice for abstractors and irrigators and let us know of any low flows impacts you see  e.g. fish kills and dried up rivers. Send your information to lowflowimpacts@sepa.org.uk. Details of the information that is useful to help us assess water scarcity stress can be found at Water scarcity in your area.