Water

Scotland's water resources are significant and fundamental to our economy, health, social wellbeing and environment.

We are working to ensure that Scotland's water resources are managed responsibly and developed in a way that will benefit customers and help to grow our economy.

Actions

We are managing and developing Scotland's water resources by:

• working with partners to provide water industry governance
• setting charging principles for domestic and non-domestic customers
• continually improving water services to ensure standards remain high
• following the actions set out in our Hydro Nation strategy to maximise the economic benefits of our water resources

Background

Scotland's public drinking water and sewerage services are provided by Scottish Water, a public company accountable to Scottish Ministers and Scottish Parliament.

Bills and legislation

The Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 and the Water (Scotland) Act 1980, both substantially amended since their introduction, define the powers and duties in those areas.

The Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 set up Scottish Water, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) and the Customer Consultation Panels.

The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 strengthened economic regulation by introducing the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), strengthened customer representation and introduced retail competition for non-domestic customers.

The Water Resources (Scotland) Act 2013 makes it a statutory duty for Scottish Ministers to 'take such reasonable steps as they consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the development of Scotland’s water resources'.

Ministers exercise their powers in these Acts through water industry regulations and ministerial orders.

Contact

Email: waterindustry@gov.scot

Phone: 0131 244 0258

Post:
Scottish Government
Water Industry Team
Area 3J South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ