Water restrictions in place in East Lothian and Scottish Borders as rivers run low for a month

Water restrictions have been put in place in the Scottish Borders due to rivers running low for a month.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have introduced temporary restrictions on water abstraction in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire areas.

It comes after prolonged dry conditions led to significant water scarcity being declared.

The restrictions affect 23 licensed water abstractions, primarily supporting agriculture and are designed to ensure enough water remains in rivers to protect fish, wildlife and the wider environment during a period of exceptionally low river flows.

North East & Tayside

Dry weather leaves Scottish rivers ‘among lowest on record’

Water conditions across much of the country have deteriorated, with scarcity most severe across eastern and southern Scotland

Significant water scarcity is declared when river flows remain below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days.

SEPA said that when river flows remain below this threshold for a sustained period, the risk of harm to rivers and the wildlife that depends on them increases.

The environmental body says it is working closely with Fisheries Management Scotland, NFU Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf throughout the summer.

SEPA said it is too soon to know whether rain over the weekend will bring sufficient recovery to the areas most impacted by the dry weather.

Conditions will continue to be closely monitored, with the Lower Tweed, Lunan Water, Lower Don, Fife (East Neuk) and North Fife approaching significant water scarcity next week if river flows do not recover

Shona McConnell, SEPA’s head of compliance, said: “River flows in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire area have now remained below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days. At this point, the risk to aquatic life and the wider river environment becomes significant, which is why these temporary restrictions are now required.

“We’ve been warning about water scarcity since May and have been working closely with abstractors and key partners throughout the summer to help them prepare for this possibility. These restrictions should not come as a surprise to those affected.

“Our officers will be out in the affected catchments, working directly with licence holders to help them understand and comply with the temporary restrictions and answer any questions they may have.

“While some rain is forecast over the coming days, recovery depends on sustained improvements in river flows rather than rainfall on a single day. We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and lift restrictions as soon as conditions allow.”