Water levels in Renfrewshire are being monitored as shortages are affecting huge swathes of the country.
The recent drop in rainfall and a relatively dry spring means large parts of the country have been placed under an alert by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
And while water supplies in Renfrewshire remain normal at the moment, they have been dubbed as moderately scarce in neighbouring communities along the Clyde, including Irvine and Ayr.
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SEPA officers are currently providing information to businesses that abstract water regularly on actions to take as resources reach critically low levels.
Those in the agriculture have been told to stagger abstractions of water with other operators and where possible to reduce the volume of water being taken.
Businesses should switch to other supplies or suspend abstraction if possible and water abstractors licenced by SEPA should have a plan to deal with the range of conditions they may experience, including drought.
Terry A’Hearn, chief executive at SEPA, said: “The severity of the water scarcity picture in part of Scotland is further evidence that water scarcity will become more and more prevalent – and is just one of the many consequences of climate change the country faces.
“That is why it is important for businesses that abstract water to understand that SEPA is here to offer support and guidance, and we are setting out the key measures abstractors should be taking to conserve water, which is shared and finite.”
Businesses having difficulty obtaining water supply or that are concerned about meeting licence conditions should contact SEPA at WaterScarcity@sepa.org.uk
