WATER supplies in the Firth of Tay area are now at risk, prompting the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to publish its first water scarcity 'alert' of the year.

Business operators and farmers in north Fife and Dundee who abstract water are being urged to consider how they can be more efficient to protect both the environment and their own operations. SEPA is monitoring the area closely, coordinating steps to manage water resources in line with Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan.

Head of Water and Planning at SEPA, Nathan Critchlow-Watton, said: “It is vital that water abstractors in north Fife and Dundee, who are licensed by SEPA, have a plan to deal with water scarcity. We would encourage businesses to abstract at different times, reduce the volume/rate where possible and consider alternative sources of water.

“Climate change is already having an impact with a decrease in rainfall expected over the summer, and we have to be ready for more pressure on Scotland’s water resources, perhaps in places that have not had to deal with water scarcity before.

Read more: Warning over Scotland's fresh water supply

“SEPA aims to work with businesses to do the right thing and protect Scotland’s water environment. We can provide advice and guidance on ways to reduce pressure on rivers at risk of drought. Taking action now will reduce the likelihood of SEPA resorting to regulatory action.”

Although Scotland is generally considered a wet country, it is continuing to see the effects of long periods of dry weather. The Scottish Government has this week highlighted the need to be prepared for the continued effects of climate change, and highlighted the importance of SEPA’s water scarcity reports.

These weekly reports categorise the water situation through a five-tiered approach – appropriate action should be taken within these five categories:

  • Normal conditions – abstract as normal;
  • Early warning – start to consider how you can optimise water use efficiency;
  • Alert – if you are irrigating your land, check equipment, don’t over spray, use trickle irrigation and irrigate at night to avoid evaporation;
  • Moderate scarcity – in prolonged dry periods, reduce abstractions by staggering with other operators, reduce the volume and switch to other supplies or suspend your abstractions;
  • Significant scarcity – this means Scotland’s water resources are becoming scarce – switch supplies or temporarily stop abstracting.