Scotland water shortage warning as 37 areas placed under alert during hot weather

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scotland is facing water shortages as dozens of areas have been placed under scarcity alerts while dry weather continues.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said is "extremely concerning" the risk of water scarcity has reached the significant level so early in the summer.The environment watchdog also warned water scarcity in Scotland is "expected to escalate quickly" over the coming weeks due to the lack of rain and high temperatures.

Temperatures could reach 28C in Scotland this weekend before thunderstorms roll in, according to the Met Office.Sepa confirmed 37 areas of Scotland are at alert level, and it urged businesses which extract water to put their water scarcity plans into action to reduce pressure on the environment and preserve their own supply.The area around Loch Maree in the Highlands has been under the highest level of water scarcity alert and is at at "significant risk" as water levels drop.Loch Ness, also in the Highlands, and Loch Esk in Dumfriesshire are facing "moderate scarcity", Sepa said.Other areas - Orkney, Ythan, Don, Kintyre, Firth of Clyde, Loch Fyne and the River Add - are showing "early warning" signs of water shortage.Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Sepa's head of water and planning, said: "For the risk of water scarcity to have reached significant this early in the summer is extremely concerning and leaves no doubt that the next few months are going to be very challenging for all those who rely on the water environment to run their business."While water levels are critical in this part of the Highlands, we can see other areas of Scotland are on the same trajectory and it's vital that businesses take steps now to maximise the resource available and prevent further environmental harm."