Scotland is facing an escalating water scarcity crisis, with river levels plunging across large parts of the country after weeks of dry weather and little relief in sight.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed in its latest Water Situation Report, published on 22 May, that six more river catchments have deteriorated to the “Moderate Scarcity” category. This now brings the total to 17 catchments across Scotland experiencing moderate water stress, stretching from Aberdeenshire on the east coast down through the Scottish Borders and further west across Dumfries & Galloway.
Rivers at Historic Low Levels
While rain is forecast over the coming weekend and early next week, SEPA warns this will do little to reverse the effects of a prolonged dry spell. Parts of Fife, for example, have gone over a month without measurable rainfall, a situation that is unprecedented in recent memory.
Several of Scotland’s iconic rivers are suffering historic lows:
-
River Tilt (Tayside): Flow rates have dropped to their lowest point in 34 years of records.
-
River Spey: Its May flow is at a record low since monitoring began in 1952.
Groundwater levels are similarly depleted, with some of the lowest measurements ever recorded for this time of year.
SEPA Calls for Water Conservation
Eilidh Johnston, SEPA’s Senior Manager for Water Industry and Rural Economy, highlighted the gravity of the situation:
“Some of Scotland’s most iconic rivers are at record lows, and the environmental impacts are clear. A few days of rain will not undo months of drier than average weather. We need well above average rainfall over a sustained period to see any recovery, especially in the east.”
Johnston noted that 2025 has seen the driest start to a year since 1964. This prolonged dryness has not only stressed rivers but also affected ecosystems that depend on them, putting added pressure on agriculture, wildlife, and communities.
She urged all water users licensed by SEPA to immediately increase water efficiency measures:
“If the weather continues without significant additional rain, we’ll have to take measures to reduce the amount of water that can be taken from the environment. The steps you take now are very important in delaying that action.”
What’s Next for Scotland’s Water?
SEPA’s categorisation system ranks water scarcity from Early Warning through Alert, Moderate Scarcity, to Significant Scarcity. With river levels still falling, there is concern some catchments may soon move into the more critical tiers.
Experts say that reversing the situation will require sustained and above-average rainfall—a prospect that climate change models suggest may become less frequent.
The ongoing drought underscores the urgency of water management strategies across Scotland, from conservation initiatives to long-term infrastructure planning to safeguard water supplies for people and nature alike.
