Scotland drought alert as more areas hit 'highest possible' scarcity levels

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scotland's water scarcity has worsened to the degree that four more areas face "critically" low levels, warns a government agency.A new report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has found that more areas have reached "significant" scarcity - the highest possible level - affecting the rivers Annan and Nith in the southwest, the Black Isle, and the Outer Hebrides.Sepa also warned that there has been no improvement in the Loch Maree area of the Highlands, which remains in the "significant" category for a fourth week, although the Esk in Dumfries and Galloway has improved to "moderate" level.Without a period of consistent rain, Sepa said it is possible six areas could be escalated to "significant" water scarcity soon.The report comes after widespread rainfall this week as heavy showers hit central and western Scotland.

The rain has improved conditions in some areas, with further recovery in Argyll and Bute from "alert" to "early" warning.However, these downpours have not been enough for a large-scale recovery and many areas remain at risk of water scarcity.The environment agency has already instructed a number of farmers on the Black Isle to reduce the volume of water they abstract from the Newhall burn to try and prevent the situation becoming any worse.Water users in other areas that have reached "significant" scarcity this week have also been contacted by Sepa, with some having conditions applied to their licence to protect the environment from low flows.Scots were urged earlier this month to use water more responsibly amid fears shortages could become more widespread.

Sepa previously forecast 28 out of 83 areas would be put on the highest warning level by the end of June if there was no recovery of