Scotland is water-rich in terms of annual rainfall and surface water resources such as lochs and large rivers. However, only a small proportion of these resources have been harnessed for public water supply, with annual demand being equivalent to less than 1% of annual rainfall. The majority of the population is in the central lowlands stretching from Ayrshire across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife to Dundee, and this is where the largest sources have been required, while most of the rainfall and the largest lochs are in the north and west.
At the start of April 2006, Scottish Water had 568 operational sources. These are:
- 240 river and burn (small river) sources
- 174 impounding reservoirs
- 60 lochs
- 54 boreholes (groundwater)
- 40 spring systems
The majority of the river and burn sources are small supplying localised communities but there are a number of larger rivers on the east coast which are major sources supplying a wider area. The larger reservoirs are all in the south of Scotland supplying the major cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee and across the central lowlands, but there are some smaller supply reservoirs further north.
Lochs are a major resource in the north and west of Scotland, but there are none of the lochs on the east side of the country are used for water supply. Springs are used as sources across Scotland for small communities but less so in the southwest. Water supply from boreholes occurs throughout the country and is being used increasingly to replace surface sources where these are of lower quality.
Water Usage in Scotland
SEPA’s summary report ‘An economic analysis of water use in the Scotland river basin district’ examines the four main water uses that affect the condition of the water environment in the Scottish river basin district:
- abstraction
- impoundment
- discharge (both point source and diffuse)
- engineering.
The main abstracting sectors are energy generation, using water for cooling, and water supply, both domestic and as part of a production process. These same two sectors are also major impounders although for different purposes; energy is generated through hydropower and water is stored in reservoirs (other examples of impoundment include flood defence and canals).
Over 90% of clean water used by households is discharged to mains sewers and many other water uses are non-consumptive with water being returned in an altered state and used to dilute pollution or to dissipate heat. The most significant sectors for point source pollution, after sewage and refuse disposal, are fish farming, and manufacturing.
Harbours, canals, flood defence, river straightening and alteration through towns are all examples of engineering activity.
Further details can be found in a Draft final report to the Scottish Government prepared by SAC Commercial Ltd, ‘Dynamics of Water Use in Scotland’ (ref: ENV/7/03/11A), November 2004.
Both reports are available for download at the SEPA website:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/wfd/character/economic.htm)
Water Industry Commission for Scotland
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland is Scottish Water’s independent economic regulator. It sets limits on water charges. In addition to regulating costs and performance it deals with investment and asset management, licensing, competition and customer services, and corporate affairs.
Further information can be obtained from: (http://www.watercommissioner.co.uk)
Waterwatch Scotland
Waterwatch Scotland has statutory powers and represents the views and interests of household and business customers of Scottish Water. Apart from representing customers and providing information and advice to water consumers, it investigates complaints and influences future water policy.
Further information can be obtained from: (http://www.waterwatchscotland.org)
- Environmental Protection and Natural Heritage
Environmental Protection
SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) is the environmental regulator for Scotland and provides an efficient and integrated environmental protection system to improve the environment and contribute to the Scottish Ministers' goal of sustainable development.
Further information can be obtained from: (http://www.sepa.org.uk)
A review of the state of Scotland’s water environment is given in a paper by Geoff Burns (SEPA) covering quality, quantity, habitat and pressures on the water environment.
See: (http://www.cms.uhi.ac.uk/pdf/part_3.pdf)
For the state of Scotland’s air, land and water environments see:
(http://www.sepa.org.uk/changetomorrowtoday/report/index.html)
Conservation
Scottish Natural Heritage’s task is to secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's unique and precious natural heritage - the wildlife, the habitats and the landscapes - which have evolved in Scotland through the long partnership between people and nature.
Further information can be obtained from: (http://www.snh.org.uk)
