This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Water Quality Regulator
26/09/2005
Scottish Ministers have today appointed a new Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland to succeed Tim Hooton who retired earlier this month.
Colin McLaren, as an Executive civil servant, has supported Mr Hooton in his role as independent regulator ensuring the quality of drinking water supplies since the post was created in 2002.
Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"Tim Hooton accepted a challenging role when he became Scotland's first Drinking Water Quality Regulator and has set a very high standard of expectation upon his sucessor.
"Working closely with Tim Hooton in this highly specialist role has equipped Mr McLaren with a sound knowledge of the state of the industry and the quality of drinking water customers expect to be delivered to them.
"Over £300 million has been invested in improving the quality of Scotland's drinking water since 2002. A safe, clean water supply is essential for the protection of public health and these standards must be maintained."
Mr McLaren said:
"I intend to carry on the good work of my predecessor Tim Hooton and ensure that consumers in Scotland continue to have a clean, wholesome supply of drinking water. Considerable effort has gone into the safety of supplies, but taste and appearance are important as well. I aim to ensure that the acceptability of water is given the attention it deserves.
"Any local issues will be dealt with as efficiently as possible. My ambition is to make information on the quality of drinking water more readily available to the public both at local and national level."
Mr McLaren graduated from Heriot Watt University in 1982 with an honours degree in Civil Engineering. He worked with Balfour Beatty on a number of large construction projects before joining the Civil Engineering and Water Services section of the then Scottish Office in 1987.
He has been involved in the enforcement of drinking water quality regulations since 1992, witnessing the changes experienced in the industry as it moved from local authority control to the three former water authorities in 1996 and then to Scottish Water in 2002.
He drafted the current drinking water quality regulations for Scotland and worked closely with the first Drinking Water Quality Regulator upon his appointment in 2002.
Mr McLaren is married with two children, is a chartered Civil Engineer and member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
The role of the Drinking Water Quality Regulator was created in 2002. It acts independently of Scottish Ministers to monitor the quality of drinking water supplied by Scottish Water. Water quality data provided by the company is regularly reviewed and a programme of targeted audits take place to review all aspects of the supply of drinking water. Private water supplies are also monitored. An annual report is presented to Scottish Ministers detailing the assessment of drinking water quality during the previous year.
Where drinking water does not meet the required standard, the Regulator has powers to investigate and ensure problems are resolved. This can involve taking enforcement action.
The Regulator also has a role in delivering the capital investment process by ensuring the necessary investment in water quality is made. He is committed to ensuring the continuation of improvements to the quality of Scotland's drinking water.