Restrictions have been introduced on taking water from the Whiteadder Water in the Borders as Scotland’s environment watchdog responds to prolonged dry conditions and “significant” water scarcity. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has taken action in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire areas, affecting 23 licensed water abstractions that primarily support agricultural activities.
Why has Sepa imposed restrictions?
Sepa said the move is intended to protect fish, wildlife and the wider environment at a time when many rivers in eastern and southern Scotland are at some of the lowest flow levels on record. The agency said river flows in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire area have remained below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days.
“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.”
Shona McConnell, Sepa’s head of compliance, said the restrictions became necessary because the risk to aquatic life and the wider river environment is now significant. She said Sepa had been warning about water scarcity since May and had worked closely with abstractors and key partners throughout the summer to help them prepare.
Who does the action affect?
The restrictions affect 23 licensed water abstractions in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire areas, mainly those used for agricultural activities. A water abstraction licence is an official authorisation from Sepa to take water from rivers, lochs, streams, or underground sources.
McConnell said Sepa would work with licence holders to help them understand and comply with the temporary restrictions.
“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.”
She added that while some rain is forecast over the coming days, recovery depends on sustained improvements in river flows rather than rainfall on a single day, and that restrictions will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.
Will weekend rain be enough to ease the situation?
Sepa said it was “too soon to know” whether rain over the weekend would bring sufficient recovery to the areas most impacted by the dry weather. The agency continues to monitor conditions closely and said the Lower Tweed, Lunan Water, Lower Don, Fife (East Neuk) and North Fife are approaching significant water scarcity next week if river flows do not recover.
What is the wider picture across Scotland?
The move comes as many rivers in eastern and southern Scotland have some of the lowest flow levels on record. Sepa said the situation remains under close review across several areas as dry conditions continue.
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Dry spell leaves river flows 'among lowest on record'
Key Facts
- Sepa introduced restrictions on taking water from the Whiteadder Water in the Borders.
- The action affects 23 licensed water abstractions, mainly supporting agricultural activities.
- River flows in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire area have been below the Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days.
- Sepa said recovery depends on sustained improvements in river flows, not a single day of rain.
- The Lower Tweed, Lunan Water, Lower Don, Fife (East Neuk) and North Fife are approaching significant water scarcity next week if flows do not recover.
