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Water restrictions put in place to protect Borders rivers

MJ Richardson A rocky river bed with some water running beside it and plantlife on its banksMJ Richardson
Restrictions have been introduced on taking water from the Whiteadder Water in the Borders

Scotland's environment watchdog has issued water restrictions to protect rivers in the Borders after prolonged dry conditions led to "significant" scarcity.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has taken the action in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire areas.

It said the restrictions affected 23 licensed water abstractions - primarily supporting agricultural activities - and aimed to protect fish, wildlife and the wider environment.

The move comes with many rivers in eastern and southern Scotland having some of the lowest flow levels on record.

Shona McConnell, Sepa's head of compliance, said: "River flows in the Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire area have now remained below the recognised Q95 low flow threshold for 30 consecutive days.

"At this point, the risk to aquatic life and the wider river environment becomes significant, which is why these temporary restrictions are now required.

"We've been warning about water scarcity since May and have been working closely with abstractors and key partners throughout the summer to help them prepare for this possibility.

"These restrictions should not come as a surprise to those affected."

A water abstraction licence is an official authorisation from Sepa to take water from rivers, lochs, streams, or underground sources.

McConnell said they would work with licence holders to "help them understand and comply with the temporary restrictions".

"While some rain is forecast over the coming days, recovery depends on sustained improvements in river flows rather than rainfall on a single day," she added.

"We'll continue to monitor conditions closely and lift restrictions as soon as conditions allow."

Sepa said it was "too soon to know" whether rain over the weekend would bring sufficient recovery to the areas most impacted by the dry weather.

It continues to monitor conditions closely with the Lower Tweed, Lunan Water, Lower Don, Fife (East Neuk) and North Fife approaching significant water scarcity next week if river flows do not recover.