About private water supplies

Having a private water supply means you get water for your home or business from a source that is not the public water supply, known as the mains water network.

Sources for private water supplies include:

  • lochs
  • boreholes
  • streams

Costs and responsibilities

Installing and maintaining a private water supply can be expensive and take a long time.

Your responsibilities as a private water supply owner can include:

  • registering the supply
  • maintaining the equipment
  • treating your water so it's safe to use
  • reporting problems with your supply
Warning

If you rely on a private supply, you need to plan how you’ll get water in an emergency like a drought or storm.

Get advice before setting up a private water supply

Due to the cost and responsibilities involved with a private water supply, you should consider connecting to the mains water network instead. 

This will mean:

  • Scottish Water will have responsibility for your supply
  • your supply will be good quality and more reliable

View Scottish Water's information on connecting to the mains network.

If you still want a private supply, get advice from your local council's environmental health department first. They can tell you about registering, risk assessing and testing the supply.

You may be able to get a grant of up to £800 to help with the costs of improving a private supply.

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