Statements : 2023

SEPA statement: Perth flooding

David Pirie, Executive Director at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“The operation, maintenance and deployment of Perth’s flood protection scheme is the responsibility of Perth & Kinross Council.

“As with any severe weather event, our teams at SEPA worked around the clock with public partners to prep    Read the full statement

Further unsettled weather for north east Scotland – SEPA advise communities to be aware and be prepared

David Scott, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:   

“The weather forecast continues to be unsettled over the weekend and into Monday, especially across north east Scotland. We are not expecting the rain to be as heavy as experienced during Storm Babet, but we need to remain vigilant.  

“The Met Office yellow warning for rain today (Sa    Read the full statement

SEPA continues to advise communities in the north east to be aware and be prepared as further rain forecast

David Scott, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:   

“The weather forecast is looking unsettled over the next few days, especially across the east of Scotland. We are not expecting the rain to be as heavy as last week but we need to remain vigilant.  

“ Read the full statement

SEPA continues to monitor river levels in north east as more rain forecast

David Scott, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:  

“Following last week’s severe weather event, people in communities in the north east are still recovering from extensive river and surface water flooding impacts, and with more rain forecast for the coming days we understand that people are concerned.  

“The Met Office has issued a ye    Read the full statement

17.00 update - SEPA continues to monitor river levels in north east as more rain forecast

David Scott, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:  

“The latest forecast from the Met Office is predicting prolonged periods of heavy rain in the north east around the South Esk. This has the potential to result in surface water and river flooding in the same areas as last week – though rivers are not expected to reach the same levels. Residu    Read the full statement

Further heavy rain expected in north east Scotland but rivers lower than witnessed during Storm Babet

David Scott, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:  

“Following last week’s severe weather event, people in communities in the north east are still recovering from extensive river and surface water flooding impacts, and with more rain forecast for the coming days we understand that people may be concerned.   Read the full statement

Flood forecasting - Perth

Lin Bunten, Acting Chief Executive at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“As with any severe weather event, our teams at SEPA worked around the clock with public partners to prepare for significant flooding impacts over the weekend. We monitored rainfall and river levels 24/7, issuing and updating alerts and warn    Read the full statement

Update 09.00 Sun 8th Oct - Flooding focus turns north as SEPA warns communities to stay alert across Sunday

Alerts and warnings - last updated, 9am

• 14 Flood Alerts
• 53 Flood Warnings
• 1 Severe Flood Warning

The Scottish E    Read the full statement

Update 19.00 Sun 8th Oct - Flooding focus remains on north as SEPA warn communities to stay alert overnight

Alerts and Warnings as at 19:00 - check floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates for latest situation

• 11 Regional Flood Alerts
• 51 Local Flood Wa    Read the full statement

Update 11.00 Sat 7th Oct - Widespread flooding event - Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October 2023

Issued at 11.00 am Saturday 7th October 2023

Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“SEPA has issued Regional Flood Alerts and more locally specific Flood Warnings across Scotland due to the major rainfall event that is bringing prolonged, heavy rain thro    Read the full statement

Update 18.00 Sat 7th Oct - Widespread flooding event over 7th and 8th October 2023

Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“Scotland is experiencing a major rainfall event that is bringing prolonged, heavy rain throughout the day and well into Sunday. I want to be very clear that this is not a normal Autumn weekend for Scotland. We’re expecting extensive river    Read the full statement

Widespread Flooding Event - Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October 2023

** This statement was updated at 9.30pm on Friday 6th October to reflect the fact Local Flood Warnings have now been issued. **

Ruth Ellis, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“A major rainfall event is expected bringing significant prolonged heavy rain throughout Saturda    Read the full statement

Conclusion of investigation into River Spey fish deaths

On Monday 11th September, SEPA received the first of a number of notifications about multiple large dead fish along a section of the River Spey, the first sighting of which was on Thursday 7th September.

We responded to this notification immediately and, over the past three weeks, have worked closely with a number of partner organisations    Read the full statement

Storm Agnes - Wednesday 27th September

David Morgan, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“Storm Agnes will bring wet and windy conditions across Scotland during the second half of today and into tomorrow morning.

“Minor impacts from surface water and rivers are likely across much of Scotland with particular concern in south we    Read the full statement

River Spey update

On Monday 11th September, SEPA received the first of a number of notifications about multiple large dead fish along a section of the River Spey, the first sighting of which was on Thursday 7th September. The initial report included a water quality reading the notifier believed to be abnormal. 

SEPA officers checked historical water qualit    Read the full statement

Dead fish in River Spey

David Ogilvie, Senior Manager for Environmental Performance at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“SEPA were notified by the Spey Fishery Board on    Read the full statement

Landfill site fire at Dunbar

SEPA is supporting a multi-agency response to a fire at the Valencia Waste Management Ltd site outside Dunbar, which started on Monday 28th August.

The latest information is available on Read the full statement

Update: Portbello West and Central bathing waters

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“Precautionary advice against bathing at Portobello beach was put in place on Thursday 13th July after Scottish Water notified SEPA of an issue with the McDonald Road waste water pumping station that had the potential to impact water quality.

“Scottish Water    Read the full statement

Changes to signage at Portobello West and Central Bathing waters

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“On Thursday 13th July, we were notified by Scottish Water of an issue with the McDonald Road Waste Water Pumping station in Broughton that has the potential to impact water quality at Portobello West and Central bathing waters.

“As a precaution, SEPA has up    Read the full statement

Advice against bathing at Monifieth bathing water

A spokesperson for SEPA said:

“Following a routine bathing water sample, SEPA have confirmed an ongoing pollution incident potentially affecting Monifieth bathing waters.

“Sample results indicated a higher-than-expected bacterial count, and the bathing water will continue to be closely monitored. Electronic bathing water signs have    Read the full statement

Carnoustie bathing water samples show no risk to public

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has updated its advice on bathing at Carnoustie after early water quality samples showed no risk to the public.

A sample taken at the bathing water on Thursday, 1st June, showed no impact on water quality and Angus Council will be removing the signs shortly.

Signage was cha    Read the full statement

Update : Advice against bathing at Carnoustie bathing water

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were informed of a pollution incident involving organic farm fertiliser yesterday (31^st May 2023), which was affecting the Pitairlie Burn at Carnoustie. As there is the potential for this to impact water quality at Carnoustie, precautionary signs have been posted to advising against ba    Read the full statement

Advice against bathing at Carnoustie bathing water

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have been informed of a pollution incident affecting the Pitairlie Burn at Carnoustie today (31st May 2023). As this has the potential to impact water quality at Carnoustie, and the official bathing water season begins tomorrow (1st June 2023), signs are being posted to advise against bathing.

Scotland's water quality

Nathan Critchlow-Watton, Head of Water and Planning at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:  

“Scotland’s water quality is at its highest level ever, with 87% of our water environment rated as good or better. This year, Scotland also has a record-breaking number of bathing wa    Read the full statement

Flooding Outlook: Tuesday 11 April 2023

Ruth Ellis, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“A period of unsettled weather is expected on Tuesday 11 April, with strong winds and heavy rain forecast in southwest Scotland.

“The main areas of concern are Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran and western parts of the Borders, where    Read the full statement

Flooding Outlook: Wednesday 22 March 2023

Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:

“The risk of flooding for coastal areas in Scotland is expected to continue over the coming days due to large waves and strong winds, combined with storm surge and high spring tides. More than 40 Regional Flood Alerts and Local Flood Warnin    Read the full statement

Flooding Outlook - Tuesday 21 March 2023

Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA),said:

“SEPA has issued over 30 Regional Flood Alerts and Local Flood Warnings, focused around the west coast, northern coastline and islands over the coming days. Impacts are expected to be localised and around high tides.

“Large w    Read the full statement

Flooding outlook – Tuesday 10 January 2023

Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“A period of heavy rain is forecast for much of Scotland throughout Tuesday.

“With already saturated ground, there is the potential for localised river and surface water impacts in the west and south west Scotland into Wednesday morning. T    Read the full statement

SEPA encourages sign ups for Floodline as unsettled weather continues - Friday 6 January 2023

Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“As unsettled weather continues to move across Scotland, a period of heavy rain on Friday evening into Saturday morning across south west Scotland could bring some localised impacts from surface water and small water courses.

“Regional Flo    Read the full statement

Fish kill, Gartmorn Dam

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

 “We have received a number of reports from members of the public regarding dead fish in a pond at Gartmorn Dam, near Fishcross.

 “A SEPA officer attended to investigate on Thursday 22 December and again on Sunday 1 J    Read the full statement