Drought alert for Scotland as water levels in rivers and reservoirs fall

Environmental watchdogs have placed mainland Scotland on an early warning for drought conditions by summer.

Falling water levels in rivers and in the ground are beginning to cause mounting concern at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Reservoir levels across the country have plunged 8% in just two weeks and now stand at 83%.

Rainfall was already low in March before April became the sunniest on record, based on statistics going back to 1929.

On Friday, SEPA published its latest “water scarcity report” which paints a bleak picture for gardeners and farmers who depend on a plentiful water supply.

Scottish Water chief executive Peter Farrer said there were many ways people can save water, adding: “With climate change, rainfall patterns are set to become less reliable and the risk of prolonged dry spells is increasing, therefore it is becoming increasingly important that we treat water as a precious natural resource by reducing what we waste.”