Question reference: S6W-17859
- Date lodged: 11 May 2023
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 23 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported early warnings of water scarcity from SEPA for summer 2023, what progress has been made since the water shortages in summer 2022 to improve water availability.
Answer
The Scottish Government works with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and stakeholders to protect the natural environment and wildlife from water shortages. Our River Basin Management Plan identifies areas in Scotland already impacted by abstractions and sets out objectives to improve those watercourses.
Over the last 12 months SEPA have continued to implement Scotland’s national water scarcity plan which sets out how water resources will be managed prior to and during periods of prolonged dry weather. SEPA has also produced regular water scarcity reports during the summer months.
SEPA and the Scottish Government continues to work closely with stakeholders to assist businesses in their planning for managing future seasonal water shortages. This includes launching a communications campaign on 2 May to raise awareness, and work over the past 12 months alongside the Farm Advisory Service to ensure businesses have the information they need to prepare for water scarcity.
Scottish Water has reduced leakage from its public water supply system, and is also providing advice and guidance to business and domestic water users. For agricultural businesses, the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme has offered support for establishing irrigation lagoons to improve water storage.