Private water shortages support

10 August 2021

Article: 55/3208

The Scottish Government has launched a support scheme offering free bottled water to people with reduced private water supplies, following recent warm weather. Some springs, streams and rivers used for private supplies, particularly in the north and west of Scotland, are now running dry and, despite the forecasts of heavy rain for parts of Scotland, many will remain vulnerable.

Around 3% of Scotland’s population is on a private water supply, equating to just over 150,000 people. Any affected households should contact their local authority in the first instance.

It should be noted that public water supplies, which the vast majority of households in Scotland use, are not affected by these issues.

Source: Scottish Government, 30 July 2021