SEPA have just released their latest water scarcity report which can be viewed
here .
In accordance with last week's warnings, four areas in Scotland which include NE Fife, parts of Tayside and even extending into the south of Aberdeenshire have had their water scarcity status upgraded all the way up to significant water scarcity status with water extraction restrictions being imposed in those areas as a result.
However, that has actually ended up being the only blot on the landscape this week in what is otherwise, a much better week overall due to some further recent rainfall.
As a result, those parts of the Borders which were at significant water scarcity status last week have now had their status downgraded to moderate water scarcity status with all water extraction restrictions also being lifted in those areas. Furthermore and unlike in other recent weeks, there are no fresh warnings this week about any other areas possibly having their status upgraded all the way up to significant water status in the next week.
In addition to that, Edinburgh has now finally had its status downgraded from moderate water scarcity status to alert status along with the Loch Earn catchment area and a small part of SW Scotland. These areas have now joined Morayshire, the north of Aberdeenshire and the city of Aberdeen itself at alert status.
Finally, two more areas in the west of Scotland have now completely returned to normal status although the Shetland Islands continue to remain at early warning status along with the far SW of Scotland, parts of Galloway and a large part of central Scotland.
Meanwhile, East Lothian along with the Borders, the rest of Fife, Tayside and most of the south of Aberdeenshire continue to remain at moderate water scarcity status whilst all areas which haven't been mentioned so far are at normal status.
Whilst these developments are very welcome, much more in the way of persistent rain will be needed in order for the recovery to continue. River levels are still very low in the east of Scotland, especially in those areas which are currently at significant water scarcity status.
Groundwater levels also remain very low in the east of Scotland, but normal or above normal elsewhere.
Edited by user
10 September 2026 14:46:24
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Reason: Not specified
The north of Edinburgh, usually always missing out on snow events which occur not just within the rest of Scotland or the UK, but also within the rest of Edinburgh.