BLOG The End of Endless Water: How Climate Change is Rewriting Scotland's Future

To mark the start of Scottish Climate Week, Scottish Water Chair Deirdre Michie writes about how climate change is breaking the illusion of Scotland's 'endless water' supply:

For generations, Scotland has been defined by its weather and its water. Lochs, rivers, rain-so much so that none of us leave home without a "brolly". "Endless water" has long been part of our identity.

But climate change is breaking that illusion. Our weather is becoming more extreme and less predictable. Water shortages, floods, and risks to water quality are no longer abstract threats-they are already changing Scotland.

This year alone has been a wake-up call. The east of the country endured its driest spring since 1964, leading to our environmental regulator, SEPA, imposing restrictions on water abstraction. Rivers and groundwater dropped to historic lows, hitting farmers and whisky producers hard. Meanwhile, the west stayed wet, exposing a growing east - west divide in rainfall patterns.

And when the rain does come, it often doesn't help. Intense downpours overwhelm drains and cause flooding and do little to replenish groundwater reserves. Extreme cold and heat are straining our infrastructure too. Last winter, a sharp freeze followed by a rapid thaw caused burst water pipes, which impacted the high-quality service our customers rightly expect.

At the same time, water quality is under pressure. Algal blooms are more frequent, and naturally occurring manganese is discolouring supplies, making treatment more costly and complex.

At Scottish Water, we are investing heavily to adapt. We are upgrading reservoirs and treatment works, strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, and pioneering nature-based solutions - restoring peatlands, creating wetlands, and protecting ecosystems that naturally clean and store water.

Our Net Zero Routemap update issued this Climate Week shows our progress in the last year alone: more than 50 energy efficiency projects, peatland restoration, and biodiversity improvements across areas which total the size of more than 1,000 football pitches.

But the scale of the climate change adaptation challenge demands billions of pounds in long-term investment, as well as action by us all - in all areas of our life, at work, at home, when we are out and about too.

The good news is Scotland has everything it needs to rise to this challenge. We are a nation with a strong tradition of innovation, world-class research, and strong communities (and love hearing how 'proud' people are of this country's water and how they can't wait to top up from the tap after being away). By harnessing that ingenuity, we can build and do our bit to look after water and waste water systems that are smarter, greener, and more resilient than anything we have known before.

This isn't just about responding to crisis, it's about creating a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Encouragingly, we are already seeing momentum. From schools teaching children about water stewardship, to businesses pioneering water-saving technologies, Scotland is proving that collective action works.

Our Nature Calls campaign - urging people to think about what they flush down the loo - is already helping reduce blockages. Each positive step is a reminder that while climate change presents enormous challenges, it also gives us the chance to reshape our society for the better, with cleaner rivers, healthier ecosystems, and a stronger bond with the natural world.

It's true that every drop matters. Fixing a dripping tap, swapping a hose for a watering can, or taking a shorter shower might seem trivial, but multiplied across a nation these actions ease pressure on our water systems and buy time for the bigger investments to take effect.

The consequences of climate change cut across geography, and generations. Scotland is already living with its impacts, and water is where we are increasingly feeling the change. Climate change is no longer a future threat-it is reshaping Scotland today.

We must challenge the myth of "endless water" and build a new, resilient relationship with our most precious resource. Let's, please, all act together to make sure Scotland can adapt, protect its landscapes, and safeguard our precious water for generations to come.