This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New regulations to improve private water supplies
24/03/2005
Draft
regulations to bring private supplies not connected to
the public network up to modern safe standards were
published today.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Lewis
Macdonald also published proposals for a grant scheme to
provide financial assistance to help meet the costs of
upgrading supplies.
The draft Regulations incorporate the latest advances to
improve drinking water quality. These include the use of
risk assessments from 'source to tap' as part of an
effective drinking water surveillance programme.
Mr Macdonald said:
"Around 150,000 people in rural Scotland rely on private
water supplies for their drinking water. Tens of thousands
of other Scots and visitors use them when on holiday.
"My primary concern is to ensure that all those who use
them can do so with safety.
"B&Bs, hotels, campsites and rented properties
including holiday lets which use private water supplies
will be required to meet the highest water quality
standards.
"To help meet the costs of upgrading these supplies,
including the need to invest in new equipment, we propose a
grant scheme to provide financial assistance.
"When introduced these new Regulations will put Scotland
at the forefront of international efforts to protect the
health of users of private water supplies."
Following the consultation it is planned to bring the
Regulations into force at the earliest opportunity.
The Water Scotland Act 1980 is the primary legislation
relating to water in Scotland. Private water supplies are
currently regulated by the Private Water Supplies
(Scotland) Regulations 1992 (as amended by the 1998
Regulations).
The Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC fundamentally
revised the previous Directive to take account of medical,
scientific and technological advances. It is proposed that
the new Directive is transposed in respect of private water
supplies through the Private Water Supplies (Scotland)
Regulations 2005. The primary legislation pertaining to
water supplies in Scotland is, and will remain the Water
Scotland Act 1980.
The Drinking Water Directive was implemented in respect
of the public supply by the Water Supply (Water Quality)
(Scotland) Regulations 2001.
Local authorities currently monitor and enforce private
water supplies under the 1992 Regulations and the 1980 Act
and that role will continue under the new Regulations.
The new Regulations will be accompanied by other
measures including a detailed technical guidance manual for
local authorities, Regulations to deliver the Partnership
Commitment for a Grant Scheme to minimise the financial
implications of meeting the revised water quality standards
and an education and awareness campaign.
Many users will need to invest in new equipment in order
to bring their supplies up to modern standards. The
consultation seeks views on a proposed Grant Scheme to
provide financial assistance to help meet the costs of
upgrading supplies.
Written responses to the consultation paper are
requested by June 17, 2005. It can be found at the
following web address:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/environment/dpws05-00.asp
It is anticipated that the other UK Administrations will
consult on their implementing Regulations later this
year.