Public Health

Water Supplies

The Scottish Government has made available a new information resource for users and owners of private water supplies.

This is now been made available through mygov.scot, the Scottish Government’s online information platform. The links below provide access to the content:

• Private water supplies (general page)

• Private water supplies: rights and responsibilities

• Apply for a private water supply grant

• Maintaining your private water supply

• Making sure your private water supply is safe to drink

• Risk assessing your private water supply

• Treating your private water supply

• Testing your private water supply

Lead in Water

In Scotland, lead does not occur naturally in significant concentrations in our water supplies. The problem arises when drinking water comes into contact with lead supply pipes, lead tanks, lead solder joints on copper pipes, or inferior quality brass fittings and taps, particularly for longer periods (e.g. overnight/ weekends / holidays periods). This can result in high lead levels in the drinking water supply.

If you suspect you may have lead pipes, the Council encourages you to undertake further works with a view to establishing whether lead is present and to take steps to replace them; and as a short-term, implement some precautionary measures to protect your health.

Information on the health effects of exposure to lead can be found on the NHS Inform website: