Scots have been urged to conserve water as reservoir levels plummet amid the driest start to the year since 1964.
With no significant rainfall on the cards for days, drinking water reserves look set to drop even lower over the next week.
Water bosses have recommended shorter showers and avoid using hosepipes because of diminishing reserves.
Scotland’s hot and dry weather has persisted for weeks, prompting the pumping of an additional 150 million litres of water daily since the middle of last month.
The surge in demand has seen tankers drafted in and river water tapped to supplement supplies in some parts of the country.
It comes as the conditions put a strain on water supplies and on firefighters who have been battling a string of wildfires.
Yesterday, emergency services fought blazes in Newtonhill, Kincardineshire, and in Cumnock, Ayrshire.
An extreme wildfire warning covers the entirety of Scotland until Monday, with temperatures expected to reach a warm 24C in certain areas today.
Lesley Haggarty and her dog Cannon manage to walk across Endrick Water, near Drymen, Stirlingshire
The River Clyde is unusually low as dry weather continues across Scotland
Throughout the weekend it is a similar picture, with the east experiencing the hotter conditions.
And the glorious weather is to continue throughout next week, much to the dismay of those hoping for some rain.
Stephen Dixon, of the Met Office, said: ‘It’s a dry seven days in the forecast, with a good deal of sunny weather as well.
‘High pressure is in charge of Scotland’s weather, and that’s bringing a good deal of dry, fine and sunny weather though the middle of next week.
According to experts, the current weather pattern is anticipated to shift by the upcoming weekend, as unsettled weather approaches from the west, bringing potential changes in the conditions.
Scots use far more water than others in the UK, with those north of the Border using 178 litres every day compared to those in England and Wales who use an average of 137.
Average reservoir levels across Scotland are at 81 per cent – some 10 per cent lower than the median for this time of year.
It has been the driest start to the year, between January and April, for Scotland in more than six decades.
Water levels in Glen Lee, Angus also fell to unusually low levels amid the warm weather
There has only been 59 per cent of rain of what would be expected over this period.
Alex Plant, Scottish Water’s chief executive, said: ‘We’re working hard to maintain normal supplies for all customers and would ask that they use water efficiently to protect this precious resource.
‘We believe that a large part of the additional water use at the moment is in gardens so we would ask that customers are mindful of how much water they use there.
‘Water is always something worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden we can make our country’s water go even further and help maintain normal supplies.’
While May so far has been very dry, it will not be the driest on record.
That was in 1852 when 108.4mm of rain was recorded. So far this month there has been just over 127mm recorded.
As firefighters issue the red alert for wildfires, Scots have been urged to avoid the use of naked flames.
Area Commander Joe McKay, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the change of a wildfire starting.
‘Many people are out enjoying this weather and are visiting our national parks.
‘While we don’t want to spoil their fun, we are urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time.
‘It only takes one spark to start a wildfire, and things can get out of hand very, very quickly.’
Last month a number of wildfires were burning so fiercely north of the Border they could be seen from space with crews battling 90 separate blazes over a single week.
Scottish Water said yesterday it was using tankers to supplement water supplies in areas including Gullane and Aberlady in East Lothian, and some areas north of Aberdeen including Potterton and Middleton.
It also said it was supplementing borehole supplies from the River Spey, pumping water directly from the river to maintain normal supplies in Moray.
Yesterday (Thurs) temperatures rose to 23.3c in Achnagart, Ross and Cromarty.
Gillian Martin, Holyrood’s Acting Net Zero Secretary, said: ‘While there is no immediate risk to public water supplies, water levels in reservoirs and rivers are much lower than usual for the time of year, particularly in the east of Scotland.
‘With little significant rain forecast, shortages could become more likely and potentially more widespread. It is essential that everyone considers taking action to use water responsibly such as taking shorter showers and limiting the watering of gardens.
‘Extensive advice on the water efficiency measures that we can all take are available on Scottish Water’s website.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Ministers have been clear that the approach to expenditure at the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) up until December 2023 was completely and utterly unacceptable.
‘We have taken steps to improve our sponsorship function, completing all the management actions set out in the internal review of WICS sponsorship published last November.
‘We want to thank the Public Audit Committee’s for their report and will provide a full government response in due course.’
