Water scarcity restrictions expanded amid dry weather

Restrictions on water use have been widened in eastern Scotland following prolonged dry weather which has seen a river fall to its lowest level since the 1970s.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the Deveron catchment has now reached significant scarcity, meaning the river is at critical levels.

It becomes the third catchment area in eastern Scotland to move to significant scarcity this week, following the Ythan and North Fife catchments on Monday.

Sepa has now imposed restrictions on abstraction in the Deveron catchment area, after imposing them in Ythan and North Fife on August 25.

Abstraction is the process of removing or diverting water from the natural environment through methods such as pumps and wells for farming and business use.

Sepa said that in the Deveron, for the January to August period, 2025 had the highest number of days at low flow since 1976, with rivers unable to recover despite short bursts of heavy rain in recent weeks.

Chris Dailly, Sepa’s head of environmental performance (geographic), said: “Introducing restrictions is not a decision we take lightly, but river flows are now at record lows.

“This is the driest we’ve seen this river since the 1970s and it highlights how climate pressures are changing water availability in Scotland.

“We recognise the challenges that farmers and other businesses face, but no-one should be caught off guard – we’ve been speaking directly to licence holders across the summer.

“Restrictions are always targeted and temporary, but they are necessary to protect rivers, wildlife and the businesses that depend on them.

“If you abstract water you should already have plans in place to reduce volumes, stagger abstractions and follow the conditions of your licence.”

Sepa said the restrictions follow months of worsening conditions, with rainfall data showing that every month of 2025 has been drier than average on Scotland’s east coast.

In some areas the deficit stretches back to June 2024, with around 40% less rainfall than the long-term average.

It said that this prolonged shortfall, combined with a warm, sunny spring and summer, has left rivers, soils and groundwater under pressure.

Sepa said restrictions will be temporary and will be lifted as soon as conditions allow, but that they are essential to safeguard the environment, wildlife and communities that depend on healthy rivers.