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31 August 2026
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BLOG: What will success look like for Scottish Water in 30 years - Deirdre Michie
31 August 2026
ACM 2026
Scottish Water Chair Deirdre Michie reflects on the questions, challenges and conversations that shaped the Annual Consultative Meeting 2026 in Glasgow.
“We need resilient infrastructure, secure water supplies, high-quality drinking water, a better protected environment and services that remain affordable, while supporting communities to grow and thrive.”
Deirdre Michie
Scottish Water Chair
"What will success look like for Scottish Water in 30 years’ time?"
That was one of the many questions put to us at our Annual Consultative Meeting at Glasgow Science Centre, and one that stayed with me afterwards.
It was a busy, engaging evening. We had a great in-person turnout, many more people joining online, and before we got started, a real buzz around the Science Centre as customers and stakeholders from across Scotland met and talked. Thank you to everyone who came along, watched online or took the time to send us a question ahead of the event.
In fact, you sent us far more questions than we could possibly get through on the night, which I think is a pretty good problem to have. We have committed to answering them all.
your questions
The range was fascinating. We heard from customers, community groups, elected representatives, suppliers and delivery partners, developers and people working in education. There were big strategic questions, some challenging ones and some very specific local issues.
But water was very much the topic of the night.
People wanted to know how we will safeguard Scotland’s water supplies as our climate changes and how we will continue to maintain the exceptionally high quality of drinking water that customers expect. We talked about resilience, leakage, demand and why, even in a country famous for its rain, none of us can afford to take water for granted.
One lady had travelled from the Isle of Lismore to talk about the challenges of private water supplies and the desire of some residents to connect to the public network. Others wanted to see even more of our Top Up Taps across Scotland, helping people refill their bottles with fresh Scottish tap water while cutting down on single-use plastic.
the future
And then there was that question about what success should look like in 30 years.
For me, the answer starts with something very simple: people across Scotland should still be able to turn on their taps with confidence. Behind that simple act, however, is an enormous amount of work. We need resilient infrastructure, secure water supplies, high-quality drinking water, a better protected environment and services that remain affordable, while supporting communities to grow and thrive. That means making good decisions today.
school visit
Earlier in the day, there was a lovely reminder of why that matters. We invited pupils from a local primary school to join us at the Science Centre learning about where their water comes from and how they can be responsible water citizens. A few hours later, we were talking about what Scotland’s water service will need to look like when those children are adults. It is quite a powerful connection.
Of course, not every question was about the future. We were challenged on investment, environmental performance, executive pay, financial management and our responsibilities to communities. We also heard continuing concerns about the reinstatement of Bellahouston Park following major infrastructure work. We should welcome that scrutiny.
Scottish Water is publicly owned, independently regulated and commercially run. It is a distinctive model that allows money to be reinvested in Scotland’s water and wastewater services and enables us to take a long-term view. But it also brings a responsibility to be open about our performance, demonstrate value and listen when people tell us where we could do better.
our customers matter
That is why evenings like this matter. They give us the chance to explain what we are doing, but just as importantly, to hear directly from the people we serve.
So thank you again to everyone who joined us in Glasgow, watched online or sent in a question. And to those whose questions we didn't manage to reach on the night, we haven't forgotten you. We will make sure they are answered.
Keep asking, keep challenging, and keep talking to us. Good questions help us think differently, and they help us get better.
