New legislation is now in force for private water supplies (pws).

The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 govern the quality of water supplied to private water supplies which are subject to the provisions of European Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption ("the Drinking Water Directive").

These Regulations supersede the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 to the extent that they apply to such supplies.  For smaller supplies exempt from the Directive the 2006 Regulations continue to apply. The Water Intended for Human Consumption 2017 Regulations may be found here.

The 2017 Regulations were subsequently amended by the Public and Private Water Supplies (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.  These regulations may be found here.

Guidance for Local authorities has produced by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator on the new regulations and can be accessed here.

Furthermore, an online mapping resource can help Local Authorities explore pws zones within their area.

Due to these changes DWQR will be holding a workshop later on in the year.

Local authorities are reminded that the pws returns are due soon. The 2016 Annual Report can be found here