PART of the River Esk area in Dumfries and Galloway has been deemed to have significantly low water levels.
And it is only the second in Scotland to reach the highest water scarcity level in the most recent report published today by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
It joins Loch Maree in the Highlands, which remains at significant for a third week.
While showers in the last few days have led to some localised recovery of rivers and groundwater, they have not been enough to sufficiently replenish levels and conditions continue to get worse.
And the region as a whole remains on ‘alert’ level.
SEPA is liaising with all sectors that abstract water from the environment, including agriculture, food and drink and leisure. Businesses are expected to put in place additional mitigation now to minimise the impacts of continued abstraction.
More information, guidance and advice can be found at www.sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity.
