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Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2006

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Public Water Supplies, Yield and Demand: 1981/1982 to 2004/2005

Public Water Supplies, Yield and Demand: 1981/1982 to 2004/2005

Average volume of water (Ml/day)

1981/82

1990/91

2000/01

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

Yield from developed water resources

3,246

3,486

3,564

3,564

3,359

3,343

Daily demand from public supplies

2,262

2,301

2,401

2,387

2,397

2,390

For sustainable management of water resources, it is essential to meet consumers' demand and standards, whilst maintaining aquatic ecosystem health. Abstraction of water has impacts on geology, habitats, wildlife, biodiversity, and recreational use of water resources. To prevent low flow levels downstream, minimum compensation flows need to be discharged at all times. Compensation flows are specified in the Water Orders made under the Water (Scotland) Act 1980.

Demand for water in Scotland has increased by 6% since 1981, although yield from developed resources (representing the potential water available) is still greater than demand. The small reduction in yield between 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 is due to rationalisation of treatment works and some being closed as a result. For 2004/2005, daily demand includes an estimated 48% lost through leakage. 1

Water demand comes from unmetered and metered potable water, and small amounts of non-potable water. Unmetered demand (domestic use, small industries, public use, leakage etc.) accounted for 80% of daily demand in 2004/2005, compared with 70% in 1981/1982.

SOURCE: SCOTTISH WATER 1

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Page updated: Tuesday, August 15, 2006