Protecting Scottish Water

Stark Contrast with Crises Down South

Scotland’s water environment is one of our greatest natural assets, supporting our health, wellbeing, wildlife and the sustainable growth of our economy.

Public ownership of our water ensures lower bills, a better service and improved access to water through schemes like the network of iconic blue Scottish Water top up taps across the country.

Scotland's public drinking water and sewerage services are provided by Scottish Water, a public company accountable to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. The SNP is committed to keeping Scottish Water in public hands.

The arrangement in Scotland is in stark contrast to what we have seen south of the border in recent years. A major review into England and Wales’ troubled privatised water industry, following pollution scandal after pollution scandal, indicated that bills will soar by 30% over the next five years. 

But the public ownership of water in Scotland under the SNP has protected people here in Angus and across the country from spiralling water bills and from similar contamination in the pursuit of profit. Figures show the average water bill in England and Wales was £603 this last year, almost 20% higher than the £490 a year average in SNP-run Scotland. 

The SNP Scottish Government also play an active role in maintaining and improving the quality of all fresh and marine waters in Scotland, and in ensuring that our water resources are managed and supplied responsibly.

The government works collaborates with partners to ensure that environmental protection is balanced with the interests and safety of industry and consumers, while working to reduce flood risk across Scotland by supporting the responsible authorities to deliver actions that protect communities and help raise awareness.

The aforementioned top up taps have also cumulatively saved the equivalent of over 20 million 330ml plastic bottles since 2018. The comparative success of Scottish Water just goes to show that when we have power here in Scotland, we make better decisions.