Water restrictions in Scotland expanded as three more areas placed under 'significant scarcity'

Water restrictions have been expanded to three more areas in Scotland amid “significant scarcity” alerts, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has said.

Six areas are now at the highest level of scarcity, as prolonged dry conditions continue across the east of the country.

The Upper Don and Lower Don areas reached significant scarcity on Wednesday, with the Lower Tweed region escalated on Thursday.

The North Fife, Ythan and Deveron catchments were announced earlier this week.

SEPA say temporary restrictions have been issued on some abstraction licences in these areas, limiting the amount of water that can be taken from the environment.

Several other areas in the country also remain under pressure.

Without sustained rainfall, further eastern catchments are at risk of reaching significant scarcity in the coming week.

Which areas in Scotland are suffering from water scarcity?

SEPA’s latest report details that Findhorn, Firth, Forth and the Dee in Aberdeen are at moderate scarcity, having been escalated this week.

Already at this level are Spey, Esk (Angus), Almond, Tyne (Lothian) and wider areas of the Ythan, Firth of Tay and Tweed catchments.

An alert has been escalated this week for the Tay, Clyde and Helmsdale areas, joining Orkney and Earn which are already on alert.

Early warnings have been put in place for Conon and Ness, joining Wick, Forth, Esk (Dumfriesshire), Annan, Dee (Galloway), Cree, Irvine and Ayr, Leven (Dumbartonshire), Naver, and Thurso.

Backwater reservoir in Angus, which supplies about 300,000 customers in Tayside and parts of Perth and Kinross, is now at 45%. Scottish Water

Meanwhile reservoir levels are also at a historic low.

Backwater reservoir, which supplies about 300,000 people in Tayside and Perth and Kinross is sitting at just 45%. Normally at this time of year it sits at around 84%.

Scottish Water is not currently considering water restrictions, but says there are challenges particularly in the east of Scotland in maintaining normal services.

How did we get here?

SEPA say the current situation is the result of “prolonged, cumulative pressures on Scotland’s water environment”.

A dry autumn and winter in 2024/2025 meant rivers and groundwater did not receive their usual recharge, and a lack of snow over the winter denied eastern rivers the gradual spring replenishment that snowmelt normally brings.

Every month of 2025 so far has recorded below-average rainfall in the east, leaving rivers increasingly vulnerable.

While the west of Scotland saw some improvement after heavy rain earlier in the summer, those gains have not been sustained, and conditions there are also beginning to deteriorate.

Rain is forecast for parts of Scotland over the coming days, with showers expected on Thursday and Friday and heavier, more widespread rain likely in the north east on Saturday.

However, it remains uncertain whether this will provide meaningful relief to rivers that have been under sustained pressure for months.

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David Harley, head of water and planning at SEPA, said: “Six areas of Scotland are now at significant scarcity, the highest level of water scarcity we have.

“It’s a critical moment for farmers, businesses and communities who depend on these rivers.

“We’ve been warning about water scarcity and the impact it could have on Scotland since May and communicating directly with abstractors across the summer.

“We have also been working with key partners, including Fisheries Management Scotland, NFUS, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Golf to help the country prepare for potential restrictions.

“We’ve spoken directly to farmers, distillers, golf courses, industry and hydropower businesses over the past few months – this should not come as a surprise to anyone.

“SEPA officers will be out in areas where restrictions are in place, ensuring abstractors understand their obligations and helping with any questions they may have.

“While rain is forecast in the coming days, it is too soon to know if it will bring real relief. SEPA will keep monitoring conditions closely and take the action needed to protect our rivers, the environment, and the livelihoods that rely on them.”