Water scarcity report FAQs

SEPA’s water scarcity report gives a summary of the overall level of water scarcity across different regions of Scotland based on a number of factors. The key ones are river flow, rainfall, soil moisture, groundwater levels, rainfall forecast, loch levels, and ecology monitoring. We also take account of reports of impacts on water users and water needs at different times of the year. For example, if rainfall is lower than normal in July versus the beginning of October, we would understand this would have more knock-on impacts important for water users. 

SEPA gathers rainfall and river flow data from hundreds of sites across Scotland. We have a dedicated team of staff who do this work. We also monitor groundwater and loch levels, and use soil moisture data and rainfall forecasts from the Met Office. We compare the current conditions against long-term values to see how dry (or wet) it has been. Other factors used in decision making include impacts on abstractors and water users, reservoir levels and ecological monitoring. Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan goes into more detail with the calculations involved. 

Scotland is split into water scarcity areas based on major river catchments. Catchments are the land from which water flows into a river system. View water scarcity area descriptions to find out what area you are in or enter your postcode in the Drought Risk Assessment Tool search and click on Water Scarcity Level. 

Each water scarcity level has an associated action based on a hierarchy of actions for different users e.g. irrigation catchments, Scottish Water, hydropower etc. Full details can be seen in the hierarchy or actions tables in Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan. 

Normal is the typical amount of rain expected for that time of year based on a comparison with the long term (1991 to 2020) average.  

SEPA’s seasonal situation report is published at the start of spring each year. It summarises how the weather conditions over autumn and winter have affected the water resources across Scotland.

Rainfall and snow over autumn and winter are key to water scarcity risk for the year ahead. This is the period when most rainfall occurs and the water in the ground and lochs is refilled, this is what we call the recharge period. As we get into the drier months, more water is lost from the system than is added and the risk of water scarcity increases. The amount of recharge over winter gives an idea of how likely this risk is.

The current seasons reports can be found on the previous water scarcity reports webpage. 

For access to previous seasons water scarcity reports please contact SEPA.