Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)

14/09/2026

Got a hot tub? Think before you drain it.

Hot tub water often contains disinfectants, cleaning products and elevated temperatures that can damage burns, rivers and lochs if discharged directly.

Make sure you have the correct authorisation in place before discharging wastewater.

Find out more: beta.sepa.scot/regulation/authorisations-and-compliance/easr-authorisations/water-activities/discharges/discharge-from-hot-tubs-and-swimming-pools/

12/09/2026

You might be one of the hardy types who enjoys Scotland’s waters all year round, but the official bathing water season comes to an end on Tuesday.

Over the 18-week season, we’ll have collected and analysed more than 1,200 samples from 90 bathing waters across Scotland.

From May to September, we monitor water quality and provide daily forecasts at selected sites, helping people make informed choices and supporting the protection of our water environment.

Find out more about how we monitor: bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/monitoring/

10/09/2026

Recent rainfall has not been enough to reverse the impact of months of dry conditions on parts of Scotland's east coast, with four areas now at Significant Water Scarcity.

Our latest report shows Stonehaven, North Esk, Fife (East Neuk) and North Fife are now at Significant Scarcity. North Fife and Fife (East Neuk) have returned to Significant Scarcity for a second time this year, while Stonehaven and North Esk have reached the level for the first time.

While rainfall has helped some areas recover, very low river flows continue across parts of eastern Scotland where a spring and summer rainfall deficit has proved harder to reverse. Temporary abstraction restrictions are currently in place to help protect rivers and ecosystems.

Read the latest report: beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/previous-reports/10-september-2026/

09/09/2026

This year we're celebrating our 30th birthday, marking three decades of protecting and improving Scotland's environment.

For 30 years, evolving regulation has strengthened our role, sharpened our purpose and increased our impact. Here are the key milestones that tell our story.

08/09/2026

07/09/2026

Sign up. Read our updates. Stay informed.

From live consultations and regulatory changes to new projects, reports and publications, we bring the latest updates straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to the SEPA Update today: sepa.org.uk/update

07/09/2026

A rare caddis fly species has been discovered in Loch Lomond, marking the first time it has been recorded this far north in the UK.

The find was made during routine freshwater monitoring and highlights the importance of long-term environmental data in helping us understand how Scotland's water environment is changing.

Read more about this story in Friday's SEPA Update: mailchi.mp/sepa/sepa-update-water-environment-september-2026

03/09/2026

Summer’s dry conditions are continuing to affect parts of Scotland as we enter autumn, with two areas now at Significant Water Scarcity.

Our latest report shows Upper Tweed and Mid Tweed & Lauderdale have moved to Significant Scarcity after exceptionally low river flows persisted for 30 consecutive days. Across Scotland, nine areas remain at Moderate Scarcity, where environmental impacts are already evident.

While rainfall has improved conditions in some areas, rivers, soils and groundwater across parts of the south and east remain under pressure.

Read the latest report: beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity/previous-reports/03-september-2026/

02/09/2026

Every visit to the beach is an opportunity to help protect local water quality.

Simple everyday actions can help safeguard Scotland’s bathing waters for people, wildlife and the environment.

Check the water before you go: sepa.org.uk/checkthewater

01/09/2026

❗️Latest storm names announced ❗️

Here is the first look at the for 2026/27, announced with Met Éireann and KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut

Has your name made the list?