Scots warned to keep curbing water usage as scarcity still major concern despite rainfall
Parts of Scotland are "under significant pressure" with experts describing the water environment as "vulnerable"
May brought record-breaking sunshine and temperatures to Scotland - but not without a hitch. Last month, Scots were hit with a stark warning to reduce their water usage following the driest start to a year in Scotland since 1964.
Residents were instructed to take shorter showers, switch off sprinklers, use watering cans and avoid using hoses where possible, although advice stopped short of calling for a full hosepipe ban for the first time in 30 years.
Scottish Water said that, since mid-April, Scots had been using around an extra 150 million litres of water a day. And despite some parts of the country seeing temporary improvements due to recent rainfall, it is still not enough.
"We've had rain in some areas but not widespread recovery," Kenny Boag, SEPA's Head of Environmental Performance said.
"There has been some relief in parts of the west, but for many river catchments the long-term deficit remains.
"It's a complex picture... most of the east coast continues to experience water stress.
"Many catchments remain under significant pressure and the water environment is still in a vulnerable state.
"More rain is forecast over the next few days, but we need sustained rainfall in the right places over weeks, not just days, to make a real difference."
SEPA is warning that parts of the country, particularly in the east, are experiencing water strain.
Most of the East Coast from Moray and Aberdeenshire down to the Borders remains at Moderate Scarcity.
Encouragingly, the rain has improved the situation in the west, and in the south-west, the rivers Almond, Annan, Nith, Dee (Galloway) and Cree have transitioned from Moderate Scarcity to Alert.
The Leven (Dunbartonshire), Loch Fyne, the Argyll coast, Loch Linnhe, the Lochy (Invernessshire), Loch Shiel, Loch Alsh and Loch Maree have all recovered and are now in Early Warning alongside the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
Similarly, the Awe and Etive area has downgraded to Normal Conditions, due to the heaviest rain falling here.
However, the rest of Scotland remains at Alert.
Scotland experienced a drier than average autumn, winter and spring, leaving many rivers struggling to recharge.
And even with recent rain, groundwater remains low in many places.
Kenny did not confirm whether harsher restrictions will be put in place if the situation worsens, nor did he say what those restrictions would be.
But if further action does need to be taken, "it will be proportionate and in place for a short time as possible".
In the meantime, Scots are being urged to continue using water efficiently and responsibly.
How can Scots help save water?
Using water efficiently in the garden and outdoor spaces by using a watering can instead of a garden hose where possible and avoiding using sprinklers
Taking shorter showers
Turning the tap off when brushing teeth
Using washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
Using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash the car
You can calculate how much water your household uses by clicking here.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
A Scots lesson with the accent on Morningside
In May 1999, The Sunday Times noted: 'Edinburgh is the least Scots place. That Morningside accent sounds like a Swede trying to talk Surrey'. Then, in December 2002, The Herald observed that 'the difference between a Morningside accent and a Kelvinside accent is that Glasgow is a funny city, where people are very demonstrative and Edinburgh is a very undemonstrative city where there's not much humour'. Finding earlier evidence is always a challenge, but we can get back to February 1953 where The Scotsman published an exchange of letters on the topic of "affected speech": 'J. A. A. points out that affectation is not as easy to recognise as it is to condemn, and goes on to give an example of the 'Morningside' boy whose natural speech is an echo of his affected parents. He asks: Is the 'Morningside' boy's speech affected or unaffected? But why presume that the speech of the parents is affected when the Morningside accent has unfortunately been going strong for three generations or more?' Will this accent ever catch a break? Scots Word of the Week comes from Dictionaries of the Scots Language. Visit DSL Online at
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Does the UK heatwave make it too hot to work? Employer rules explained
With tempertaures across Scotland skyrocketing yesterday, is there a temperature that makes it too hot to work? Scotland was hit with its hottest day of the year yesterday, with temperatures soaring to 28.9 degrees at the shores of Loch Ness in Drumnadrochit. Many other places across the country weren't far behind this record high, with temperatures reaching 28.7 degrees in Aberdeenshire, 28.4 degrees in Edinburgh and 27.3 degrees in Glasgow. With these temperatures way above the average for this time of year, with June normally recording a high of 17 degrees, many of us tried to make the most of the weather by soaking up as much of the sun as possible. However, with these record highs falling on a Friday, many Scots still needed to go about their daily routine and go to work. While jobs can range from manual labour to office work, many of us may be wondering if there is a point the mercury needs to reach before Brits can be excused from work? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Currently there is no maximum temperature specified in law that can stop people from having to work, reports the Mirror. This is due to some jobs always having to work in hot conditions, such as those working in glass works. However, this doesn't mean that employers can force their staff to work in uncomfortable conditions, as they still have to make sure that the workplace is a safe environment. William Walsh, a partner in the employment team at law firm DMH Stallard, said: "The legal responsibilities in respect of health and safety in the workplace still apply and this means carrying out a risk assessment and ensuring that employees work in temperatures that are reasonable and do not place their health and safety at risk. "The nature of the work will be relevant, as will factors such as whether employees need to wear protective clothing as part of their job that may make it harder still for employees to keep cool." For those who work in an office space, this could mean altering specific dress codes. For example, taking away the requirement to wear a tie, long trousers and shirts while the temperature rises. Additionally, the same healthy and safety obligations apply for people who work from home. William said: "The risks should be much lower, as home workers are unlikely to be undertaking physical tasks and, even if they were told to stop working, those individuals would still be in their same home environment. "But the issue should not be discounted altogether. If, for example, it was known that an employee was working from their home office set up in a small box room up in a loft conversion, where it could get uncomfortably hot, they should be encouraged to move." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. However, some people are wanting to make changes to the law. For example, the TUC worker's union wants to make it illegal to keep people at work indoors if the temperatures soar to over 30 degrees. They also want protection put in place for people who work outside or drive for a living. Additionally,the union also thinks workers should be allowed to take regular breaks to help keep them cool when the office is too warm. On the flip side, while there isn't a maximum working temperature, there is a recommended minimum temperature for a work place to stand by. However, it should be noted that this also isn't set in law. The minimum recommended temperature is said to be 16 degrees, with it slightly lower at 13 degrees for those who take part in physical labour. In Britain, the Health and Safety Executive provides the regulatory framework for workplace health and safety.
STV News
7 hours ago
- STV News
'Doctors thought I had gallstones - it turned out to be a rare liver cancer'
A Moray mum has described how a suspected case of gallstones turned out to be a rare form of liver cancer following a six-month wait for vital scans. Nikki Simpson, 52, who has cholangiocarcinoma, says her symptoms were dismissed despite several visits to her GP clinic in pain. Tests revealed a 10cm tumour on her liver in September 2024. She has since undergone 15 rounds of chemotherapy and is now receiving immunotherapy. Now, Nikki is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the signs of the disease. She told STV News: 'It's very difficult to diagnose, but I went with several different symptoms of the disease. 'I had a lot of pain underneath my right ribs, changing bowel habits, and darker urine. 'I wasn't jaundiced – which is one of the main symptoms – possibly one of the reasons why it was missed. 'Because there's not enough awareness of the disease – both among patients and health professionals – it was fobbed off for six months.' Husband Neill added: 'Whether that could have made the difference or not, we'll never know.' Once classed as rare, cholangiocarcinoma is now on the rise amongst younger people, with six in 100,000 Scots developing the disease. STV News Nikki Simpson hopes to raise awareness of cholangiocarcinoma Vague symptoms such as pain under the right rib, tiredness, pale stools and dark urine mean it's difficult to diagnose and often not until it's too late for treatment. Nikki joined campaigners and health professionals at a reception held at Holyrood to press politicians to fund more research into treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. 'You put you're trust in the professionals, but if things are taking six months, it could unfortunately be too late,' she said. 'My disease is stabilised, which is the best we can hope for. I'm hoping the immunotherapy will keep it at bay for longer.' Liver cancer charity AMMF says it wants more GPs to be aware of the signs and urges people who are concerned to ask their doctor for a liver function test. AMMF CEO Helen Morement said: 'We ask GPs just to be aware that these vague symptoms could add up to something serious and if there's the slightest suspicion, run a liver function test.' 'It's just a blood test and it will show if the liver results are raised and if so, then start investigating.' Public health minister Jenni Minto has agreed to consider the case for tests which explore if patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatments which can delay the cancer's progress. The Simpsons say they don't want anyone else to have to suffer life-changing delays for a diagnosis. Neill said: 'If we can help someone else going forward, that's going to be in our position, that can only be a good thing. 'We want to raise awareness to stop this from happening to other families.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
