Creating Water Resilience: The Challenges Facing Dufftown

September 20, 2024

You may have noticed our recent news spotlights focusing on the issues affecting Scotland's five whisky regions.


With only one day to go until our upcoming conference: From Source to Spirit: A Distiller's Masterclass to a Climate Resilience Water Supply, we asked our Senior Hydrogeologist, Shona Symon to take it one step further and highlight the issues facing Dufftown itself.


Situated in the heart of Scotland's Speyside region, Dufftown is often referred to as the 'Whisky Capital of the World.' This small town is home to six renowned distilleries, including Glenfiddich, Kinninvie, and Balvenie, all of which are recognised for their significant contributions to the Scotch whisky industry, blending tradition and innovation.


Shona, can you explain the importance of developing more resilient water sources in the future for Distilleries across Dufftown? 


Ensuring long-term sustainability and supporting growth at Dufftown’s distilleries relies on the development of more resilient water sources. Climate change poses a significant threat, particularly in the Speyside region, with climate predictions highlighting

increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and more frequent droughts. Coupled with global demand for whisky rising, there is increasing risk that distilleries may face shutdowns during the summer months unless more reliable water supplies are developed and integrated. 


How do the issues discussed impact Dufftown's distilleries and their existing water supply network?


It is easy to assume that water resources are in abundance in Dufftown. However, with six distilleries operating out of a small town, the local water environment faces significant pressure. All of the distilleries abstract water for process uses from catchments associated with the River Fiddich and its tributaries, which is also the source for each of the distilleries cooling water requirements.


This places significant demand on the local hydrology, requiring careful management to balance industrial demand and environmental sustainability. 


Chris has already made us aware of the threat of climate change on Islay. Does Dufftown face similar problems?


Climate change directly threatens the reliability of Dufftown’s water supply network, as changing rainfall patterns and more frequent droughts place added pressure on the town’s already limited resources. During dry periods, distilleries have to cut back water use to comply with regulatory limits, and during periods of particularly warm, dry weather, shutdowns related to water are not uncommon. This underscores the need for sustainable water management strategies, making adaptation crucial for distilleries to maintain operations in the face of an unpredictable and shifting climate. 


How have you assisted distilleries to develop their water supplies?


Our team has extensive experience assisting multiple clients with their water management challenges. However, navigating complex geology, adhering to increasingly stringent regulations, and managing competition between sites often make these solutions complex. 


We typically begin by evaluating the site’s current water network, including how the site are using their active sources and what changes in water use are expected in the future. Once we have a comprehensive understanding, we offer tailored recommendations to optimise the utilisation of current water sources and potentially introduce new sources into the network to increase resilience. 


Our team is ready to assist new and existing clients facing similar water resource challenges. Contact Shonasymon@envireauwater.co.uk to discuss the challenges at your site.


Oh, and, stay tuned! We'll be sharing a recap of the key issues covered at our Envireau Knowledge event and the essential solutions to help safeguard your distillery's future.



About Envireau Water 


At Envireau Water, we are a team of expert water scientists and engineers, who provide guidance on the management and regulation of natural water systems across the UK. By working collaboratively with our clients and the regulators, we deliver robust sustainable solutions that meet the requirements of all stakeholders. With an incredibly loyal client base and our ability to work seamlessly throughout the four nations of the UK, many of our clients know us individually and trust us to find resolutions to their water problems for years to come. 


Connect with us on LinkedIn to hear the latest industry developments and updates regarding our team. 


Envireau Water is an RSK Group Company. 

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