Water Situation Report 3rd September 2020

HEADLINES

The Naver and Helmsdale catchments have moved to Moderate Scarcity. The

Moray catchment and the north-east remain at Moderate Scarcity.

The Thurso and Wick catchments have moved to Alert. The Western Isles, Ewe

and Inver catchments have been raised to Early Warning.

The Angus Rivers, North Fife, South Fife, Almond, Tyne and Tweed catchments

are now at Normal Conditions.

Situation summary

August saw very variable rainfall across the country,

with regions in the north receiving only a third of the

long term average monthly rainfall while some central

and southern areas received over double.

Dry ground conditions and low river levels remain

widespread across the north of Scotland. Storage in

many lochs has also fallen to very low levels.

Conditions in the Naver and Helmsdale catchments

have deteriorated further, therefore these areas have

been increased to Moderate Scarcity. The Thurso and

Wick catchments have also been increased to Alert

level. Catchments in the north-west of Scotland have

been increased to Early Warning.

Parts of the north-east remain at Moderate Scarcity

level despite recent rainfall and localised flooding

across the region. The Moray catchment has

remained at Moderate Scarcity as river flows are still

very low. Groundwater levels have also failed to

recover in both areas despite recent rainfall and

remain extremely low.

In east and central Scotland river flows and ground

conditions have continued to recover as a result of

recent rainfall, therefore all catchments in the south

have improved to normal conditions.

SEPA is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating steps to manage water resources in line

with Scotland's National Water Scarcity Plan.

There are a number of mine water discharges from former coal mine workings across Scotland.

When mine water flows into a river, the iron in the water settles on the bed of the river, causing

orange staining. In some eastern areas, the continuing low river flows mean that there is less

dilution and this discolouration is more visible in impacted rivers. SEPA works with other partners

to reduce these mining issues.

Advice for water users

Public water supplies are operating normally.

There is increasing risk to private water supplies. If you are impacted you can find advice at the

following link: https://www.mygov.scot/housing-local-services/water-supplies-sewerage/private-

water-supplies/.

For the most up to date advice please see: Advice for abstractors.

Water abstractors with concerns about meeting licence conditions or wishing to discuss contingency

measures should contact SEPA at the following e-mail address Water Scarcity mailbox.

Rainfall forecast – 02/09/20

Showery over the coming days, mainly affecting the northwest but with limited accumulations.

More persistent rain expected during Monday, currently looking to be a mostly weak feature,

however any higher accumulations likely to be on western upslopes.

The latest long-term forecast suggests that for September-October-November as a whole, above-

average precipitation is slightly more likely than below-average precipitation. Above-average

temperatures are also more likely over this period. For further details on the seasonal forecast see

the latest 3-month outlook summaries at

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/government/contingency-planners/index.

Further details on the current situation are provided in the following figures:

2nd September 2020

Groundwater levels are showing

signs of recovery across most of the

country. However, groundwater

levels in the north and north-east are

still very low and falling.

We have up to date data for 14

groundwater monitoring sites, spread

across the east and south-west of the

country giving a good picture of the

current situation. Levels from a

selection of representative sites are

shown in the charts below.

Surface water storage loch levels are

also currently low across the north of

Scotland. Sites in the south are

mostly in the normal range for this

time of year.

The following charts show the trend in groundwater level

(GWL) since winter 2019/20 at selected monitoring sites

(see map above). Groundwater level is shown by the black

line. The coloured zones represent the normal range and

pattern of groundwater level, based on average monthly

levels from the long-term record.

Very high groundwater level

High groundwater level

Normal groundwater level range

Low groundwater level

Very low groundwater level

Natural water storage situation

In each river catchment there is some degree of water storage, which can maintain river flows

even when it is not raining. This natural water storage is mainly held in lochs and groundwater.

When natural storage has been depleted it will take a lot of rainfall for levels to recover.

Please note that the map below does not reflect conditions in managed water supply reservoirs.

• Murton

• Drumine

• Newbridge

• Redmoss

• Scotlandwell

• Deerdykes

• Annan

21

22

23

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Drumine (data record from 2009)

100

101

102

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Redmoss (data record from 2008)

50

51

51

52

52

53

53

54

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Deerdykes Deep (data record from 2008)

70

71

72

73

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Murton (data record from 2008)

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Scotlandwell (data record from 1998)

8

9

10

11

12

13

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Newbridge (data record from 1993)

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

12/19 02/20 04/20 06/20 08/20 10/20 12/20

GW

L m

AO

D

Annan (data record from 1993)