In Scotland, public drinking water and sewerage services are provided by a public sector corporation, Scottish Water, which is accountable to Scottish Ministers and through Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. In England and Wales these services are delivered by private companies.
Scottish Water operates within a regulatory framework established by the Scottish Parliament in which Scottish Ministers, acting on behalf of the people of Scotland, set the objectives for the industry to be delivered at least cost to customers. Key players in this regulatory framework are Scottish Water's economic regulator, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland; the Drinking Water Quality Regulator; the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; the customer representative body, Consumer Focus Scotland; and for investigation of complaints, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
The water industry contributes to the Scottish Government's Strategic Objectives. In particular, it contributes to a Wealthier and Fairer Scotland through the National Outcome of "Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs".
This section provides information on the water industry in Scotland, specifically: who does what; water charges; improvement to services; the legislation and structure that forms the water industry in Scotland; background documentation; and a section on how to make a complaint.
Latest News
Consultation - Scotland the Hydro Nation
The Scottish Government consultation "Scotland the Hydro Nation Prospectus and Proposals for Legislation" was launched on 1 February 2012 and runs until 12 March 2012.
This consultation builds on the previous "Building a Hydro Nation" consultation from 2011. Proposals for a Water Resources Bill are set out in the context of the wider Hydro Nation agenda, and comments are invited. The Bill proposals include placing a duty on Scottish Ministers to develop the Hydro Nation programme of work, in collaboration with key organisations such as Scottish Water, SEPA and the Enterprise Agencies. Other proposals include updating legislation to manage temporary water shortages, community septic tanks and proactively manage substances from entering the water environment.
Read the full consultation document
Water Industry Commission for Scotland Board (WICS) Appointments
On 23 December 2011 Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, announced the appointment of 3 members to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. Libby Gawith and John Reynolds were appointed from 1 January 2012 with Ross Finnie's appointment commencing on 1 July 2012.
Read the full news release
Scottish Water Chair Reappointment
On 29 September 2011 Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, announced the reappointment of Ronnie Mercer as Chair of Scottish Water.
Read the full news release
Waterwatch Scotland Transfer
From 15 August 2011, under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, the consumer advocacy and policy work of Waterwatch Scotland has transferred to Consumer Focus Scotland (CFS) whilst the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has taken over responsibility for customer complaints.
Investing in Scotland's water industry: Improvements delivered in 2006-10
The final report on the improvements made by Scottish Water delivered in 2006-10 has now been published.
Comments
Please email waterdivision@scotland.gsi.gov.uk