SEPA has raised the risk of water scarcity around the Loch Maree area in the Highlands to Significant, the highest level available. Two areas are also now at moderate scarcity – the Ness area in the Highlands and the Esk area of Dumfriesshire.

• The risk of water scarcity in the Loch Maree area of the Highlands has increased to significant risk of water scarcity.
• Two areas have increased to moderate scarcity – Ness in the Highlands and Esk in Dumfriesshire.
• 37 areas are now at Alert level.
• Seven areas are at early warning for Water Scarcity – Orkney, Ythan, Don, Kintyre, Firth of Clyde, Loch Fyne and the River Add.
• Businesses extracting water are being urged to put their water scarcity plans into action now to reduce pressure on the environment and preserve water resources.
• Little rain is forecast for the next few weeks, and the water scarcity situation is expected to escalate quickly.