Scotland water shortage concerns are growing as Scottish Water urges households to reduce consumption following the driest start to the year since 1964.
With reservoir levels dropping and water use rising, officials are calling for urgent conservation—though a hosepipe ban has not yet been introduced.
Reservoir Levels Drop Amid Unusually Dry Weather
According to Scottish Water, water use across the country has surged by 150 million litres per day since mid-April. Reservoirs in some areas are now as much as 10% below average, and 23 regions—including the Clyde, Dee, Firth of Forth, and Firth of Tay—are experiencing water scarcity, as confirmed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
Areas like Potterton, Turnberry, and Balfron are now relying on tankers to maintain supply, while boreholes in Moray are being supplemented by direct river pumping from the River Spey.
No Rain Expected Until Late May
Forecasters predict no significant rainfall until at least 22 May, exacerbating the pressure on water reserves.
The country received only 59% of its average rainfall between January and April, and May’s figures may be even lower. On Tuesday, temperatures exceeded 25°C, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
Public Urged to Take Simple Water-Saving Measures
Scottish Water is asking residents to take shorter showers, turn off taps when brushing teeth, and only run full loads in washing machines and dishwashers.
It also advises against using garden hoses and sprinklers, suggesting watering cans and buckets as alternatives. The last hosepipe ban in Scotland was in 1995.
Chief Executive: “Scotland Must Rethink Water Use”
Scottish Water CEO Alex Plant warned on BBC Radio that, while the system remains resilient, Scotland’s 178-litre average daily usage per person—40% higher than in Yorkshire—is “not sustainable.” He added, “We think of Scotland as wetter, but we’re not immune to changing climate patterns.”
Impact Spreads to Scottish Farming Sector
The dry spell is also hitting farmers hard. John Brown, a farmer from Fife, said he’s been forced to use irrigation systems typically reserved for later in the season. “If we don’t water now, we risk losing the yield and quality our customers expect,” said Brown, who grows broccoli, strawberries, and potatoes.
Farmers are licensed to draw water from nearby burns, but longer periods of drought and heavy rainfall are making growing seasons more unpredictable. “The extremes are the new challenge,” Brown said.
No Hosepipe Ban Yet—But It’s Not Off the Table
While there’s no formal hosepipe ban yet, Scottish Water has indicated it could be considered if conditions worsen. Any such ban would require ministerial approval—a step not taken since devolution. The last official hosepipe ban occurred in 1995, despite frequent use of such measures in southern England.
Experts warn that Scotland’s historically high water availability has made residents complacent. But with climate change tightening its grip, officials say it’s time to treat water as the precious resource it is.
