Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Private Water Supplies
Introduction
It is generally taken for granted that the population of the Outer Hebrides has ready access to clean and reliable sources of water. However there are a minority of supplies that do not come from a statutory water supplier but instead from a private source. These supplies come from springs, wells, burns or lochs and unlike public supplies are not always treated to remove contamination.
The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 came into force on the 3rd July 2006 and define private water supplies as either;
Type A
A private water supply for human consumption purposes which provides 10 or more cubic meters of water per day or serves 50 or more persons, or regardless of volume of water or number of persons served, is supplied or used as part of a commercial or public activity
This includes lodges, guest houses, b&bs, holiday let accommodation or premises used for the processing of food, such as deer larders.
These supplies will have had a risk assessment carried out and will be sampled every fifteen months.
Or
Type B
A private water supply for human consumption purposes, other than a Type A supply.
Generally, a domestic supply used by the occupants of the household. These supplies will be risk assessed and sampled at the request of the owner.
Grants are available for both Type A and B supplies. The grant is to help improve your current Private supply. The Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 provides details regarding amount and eligibility for grants.
Details on these regulations and general advice regarding private water supplies can be found at www.privatewatersupplies.gov.uk
To view a Public Register of Private Water Supplies located within the Outer Hebrides, click on the site directory.
For further enquiries, guidance or advice regarding Private Water Supplies in the Outer Hebrides click on contact.
