The 11 areas of Scotland where the water scarcity risk has increased

Record temperatures are set to hit the UK next week in what has been termed an “unprecedented” heatwave. 

THE risk of water scarcity has been raised across 11 new areas in Scotland, as Scotland braces itself for soaring temperatures.

A new report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, released on Friday 15 July stated that “although there has been some rainfall in the north-west of the country”, that the forecast indicates conditions are “unlikely to improve”.

The Dee catchment in the north-east of Scotland has been raised to moderate scarcity, alongside the Firth of Forth and Almond and Tyne areas in the east. 

These areas join the Ythan and Firth of Tay group which remain at moderate scarcity.

The Clyde, Earn and Spey catchments have been raised to Alert level, along with the Helmsdale area in the north, while in the south-west, the Nith catchment and the Doon area have been raised to early warning, as well as the Ness catchment in the north.

Last week, Sepa warned that if dry conditions persist for a period of time, there becomes an “urgency” to act to protect water resources. 

They also stated that water scarcity is “one of the many consequences of climate change” that Scotland faces, and that its severity is “only likely to increase in the future” without intervention.

Record temperatures are set to hit the UK next week in what has been termed an “unprecedented” heatwave. 

In Scotland, the Met Office has issued an “amber extreme” heat weather warning on Monday July 18 and Tuesday July 19. This warning impacts mainly southern areas of Scotland, including Dumfries, Peebles, Wigtown and Kelso.