Scottish Water seeks collaboration to rise to long-term challenges

Scottish Water has prioritised three long-term outcomes in its final long-term strategy, Our Sustainable Future Together. These are: 

• Scotland’s tap water remains a source of national pride and is valued as a precious resource.

• The quality of rivers and seas improves, and our communities are protected from sewer flooding, through collaboration with others.

• Scottish Water plays a key role in enabling Scotland’s sustainable and economic housing growth.

To achieve this, the utility will focus on three key approaches: 

• Collaboration and partnerships with organisations, customers and communities.

• Transforming how it works and driving efficiencies.

• Reducing demand on services and assets, while helping customers use less water and managing rainwater on the surface.

The strategy follows public consultation and seeks to ensure water and wastewater services remain sustainable, resilient and affordable in the face of challenges including greater weather extremes, population changes and ageing infrastructure. Without adaptation, more extreme weather will mean Scotland faces a daily water deficit of 240m litres a day by 2050 during extended periods of low rainfall. The biggest impact will be in the east of the country around Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife where 1.6m customers live.

This challenge has been highlighted by the recent dry weather. Average reservoir levels in Scotland last week were at 77%, 13% below average for the time of year.