THOUSANDS of Scots have been asked to "use water wisely" by taking shorter showers among other measuers following concerns about reservoir and loch levels during a dry June.

The Herald has been told that Scottish Water has valid warnings for in and around Stornoway on Lewis and Elgin, Kinloss and Forres in Moray which has been in place for up to nine days - even before the current hot spell.

It emerged as the Met Office issued yellow health warning for heatwave conditions from Tuesday until Thursday evening covering the west and north-east of England.

The warning means there is an 80% chance of temperatures which could be a risk to health, and is intended to help social and healthcare teams prepare.

Rail passengers are being warned of lengthy delays as speed restrictions are enforced to prevent tracks from buckling in a heatwave that has sparked wildfires across parts of Britain - and shows no signs of abating.

The Herald:

Network Rail has deployed “extreme weather action teams” in readiness for even warmer conditions following a peak of 30.1C (86.1F) on Monday.

The water company said called on customers to "use water wisely as a result of prolonged dry weather in the area".

It said that dry conditions and increased demand in the area meant that "efficiency measures" are being requested of customers served by the Badentinan Water Treatment Works, Elgin and the Stornoway Water Treatment Works.

Residents are being advised to turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving, take shorter showers and only boil the kettle with the volume of water needed. They also advise to use a bucket or a watering can for use to clean cars and in gardens.

The Herald:

The Herald:

The Herald:

Scotland has received a little over half the average rainfall for May this year and the dry spell of weather continues across June.

Stornoway has experienced an unusual spell of 23 consecutive days with no rainfall, with only 31mm of rain falling in Lewis’s capital in one month.

Scottish Water said the dry conditions have caused "lower than normal water levels" in Loch Mor an Stairr, which supplies Stornoway Water Treatment Works (WTW). 

And despite some rainfall, increased demand in the area led to the utility encouraging customers served by the Badentinan Water Treatment Works (WTW) to take simple water efficiency measures.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: “We are encouraging everyone living and working locally to take simple steps to use water wisely. By doing so, we can significantly reduce water usage which also helps the environment, saves energy and ensures that we continue to provide clear, fresh water to customers in the area.”

A Scottish Water spokeswoman said: “Scottish Water has issued advice to customers to use water wisely in two localised areas, parts of Moray and the Stornoway area of Lewis.

“The advice was issued because of prolonged dry weather in these areas, despite some recent rainfall, and (in the case of Moray) increased demand.

A past Scottish Water 'use water wisely' advertisement

“Scottish Water is managing water supplies across Scotland through this extended dry period and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “Whilst enjoying the current and recent prolonged periods of sunny weather, less rainfall can of course mean lower reservoir, river and loch levels.

"Scottish Water advises that public water supplies continue to operate normally. SEPA is continuing to monitor the situation with partners, and we are working with water users to ensure that the environment is not impacted as a result of this dry spell.”

The Herald:

The Herald:

The affected areas

On Monday the highest temperature of 30.1C (86.2F) was recorded at Hampton waterworks in west London and in Scotland, Achnagart in Ross and Cromarty boasted a temperature of 27.5C.

Just over two weeks ago had to battle a bizarre barrage of weather with lightning fireballs, hail storms, flash flooding and snow just a few hours.

Thunder and lightning rumbled through the evening in parts as motors floated down streets amid freak floods.

One house erupted in flames after a lightning strike caused devastation for one in Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire.

Meanwhile motorists in Perth and Kinross were battered byhailstones which took hours to pass and left a covering of white on the A9 captured by Andy Murray's mother, Judy.

Cars were seen floating down the road in Bearsden, near Glasgow, amid the heavy downpours and several streets had to be closed.