BLOG Protecting Scotland's Water

Simon Parsons, Director of Environment Planning and Assurance at Scottish Water explains why our water is rightly a source of national pride

Scotland’s rivers, lochs and coasts are special. And the numbers back this up. Our water environment is now rated more than 87 percent Good or Better by our regulator SEPA.

That is the best it has ever been and among the best in Europe.

And like everything precious, people are keen to protect the natural environment.

Public interest in water is rising across the UK. People want reassurance and answers and this week, the Channel 4 docu-drama ‘Dirty Business’ is focussing on this issue.

While the TV programme looks at other parts of the UK, you, our customers in Scotland, will naturally be asking questions too, especially around the issue of overflows or ‘CSO’s as they are otherwise known.

Misinformation is one of the challenges of any environmental issue and the purpose of this blog is to provide open and transparent answers to questions you might be asking.

Firstly, Scottish Water is publicly owned. Every penny we receive is spent on services for customers.

Secondly, Scotland has the best quality water environment in the whole of the UK, with 87% rated good or better as I mentioned above. If we spent all our money on this issue alone, Scottish Water might be able to nudge that number up to 88%; but others including farming and industry also have a big role to play.

Thirdly, sewer overflows stop homes being flooded during periods of heavy rain – an issue that is becoming more and more frequent. They are not designed to ‘dump sewage’ as they are often characterised.

Finally, replacing every overflow would cost billions and disrupt every street. The environmental benefit would be small. That is why Scotland takes a smarter approach.

So, what is the answer?

The biggest improvement would be to keep more rainwater out of the network in the first place. We can do that by slowing water on the surface. Wetlands, raingardens, greener streets and smarter planning all help. New neighbourhoods can drain more naturally. 

Older areas can be retrofitted where it makes the biggest difference. Land management can reduce runoff into rivers and burns before it even reaches a drain.

What Scottish Water is doing

We are working smarter. We are installing more overflow monitors. We are using more sensors. We are targeting investment where it helps most. We are working with councils, developers and landowners on greener solutions. But we can’t do this alone.

Protecting Scotland’s Water Needs Partnership

Scottish Water manages the public sewer network. But we are only one part of a bigger picture. Councils shape streets and drainage. Developers design how new areas drain. Farmers and landowners influence runoff. Regulators set standards. The public makes choices every day that affect the system and our key message is to please only to flush the ‘three P’s – that is pee, poo and paper.

Working Together

Scotland can keep its waters world class if we slow the rain, stop the blockages and work together.

Every home and every street has a role and publicly owned Scottish Water will be here to help.