This short animation, produced by the ‘Taps’ Aff!’ project, explains how private water supplies work: from sourcing and distribution to treatment and everyday use.

According to a new SEPA publication on their website, “Scotland has had significant regional differences in rainfall conditions over winter 2026. Whilst the north-east (Dundee, Angus and Aberdeenshire) has seen significant improvement in recharge, some eastern areas - such as Fife and the south-east- could still be at risk of water scarcity if spring rainfall is lower than normal. The north (Highlands and Moray) has been particularly dry this winter, and without above average rainfall this spring and summer, there is an increased risk of water scarcity in these areas…” 

The Herald reports how, following a successful community campaign by Loch Leven Sea Savers, an all-ages community citizen science group based in the Ballachulish area, Loch Leven has been officially designated as a Bathing Water. In a first, the designation was granted under the direct discretion of Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy. The status will ensure tregular monitoring of water quality and the provision of public information during the bathing season, which begins on June 1, 2026.

Mainstream news love a ‘troubled’ planning application by a celebrity, and Stella McCartney’s ambitions for her and her husband Alasdhair Wills’ new £5 million home on Moidart Peninsula were further complicated by an earlier report from Highland Water Supplies stating that ‘drilling to 100m depth, possibly further, may well be necessary.’

The Northern Times reported on a community advice session organised by the Culrain & District Hall Committee, which aimed to help local people understand the Inveroykel Wind Farm planning application and its expected impact on the area.

The proposal includes development planned on land that provides the watercourse to 44 properties reliant on a private water supply.

Press & Journal article “Tiny Highland community forced to rely on bottled water for EIGHT YEARS blames nightmare on SSEN for ‘breaking the rules” about the ongoing impacts from SSEN construction from 2018 onto private water supplies in Farr, near Inverness.

Guardian article “Race to find source of carcinogenic Pfas in Cumbria and Lancashire waters”about forever chemicals in an area of outstanding natural beauty and private water supplies. From 14 February 2026

This successful crowdfunder campaign was managed by the local Scouts group who asked for support in meeting the £51k to complete a new fresh water supply infrastructure project for their campsite, which welcomes over 8,000 Scouts members per year. The cost was additional to the £18k already spent on the initial stage to establish that a fresh water supply was both available and viable. The story was picked up by the Daily Record. From 30 September 2025

Scottish Land & Estates blog “Water and Wastewater: The Overlooked Burden on Private Landowners” where SLE arranged for Scottish Government representatives to visit Whittingehame Estate’s private water supply as well as Fenton Barns’ private sewerage system. From 14 December 2024