RESEARCH TOWARDS INFLUENCING POLICY

RESEARCH TO SUPPORT ISLAND COMMUNITIES IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

  • Authors: Joseph Akunna, Juliette O’Keeffe, Daniel Gilmour, and David Blackwood, 2019

    A summary of case studies demonstrating how Scottish Water intervened to ensure wholesome water at three decentralised water supplies. The authors' conclusion is that "SW procedures are generally effective and informed by stringent application of internal procedures underpinned by the relevant regulatory and policy framework".

    NB the case study sites (Fair Isle for 33 units, North Hoy for 18 units, and Yarrowfeus for 37 units) were proposed by SW in the first instance.

    [Link to full paper - opens in new tab]

RESEARCH TO USE AS EVIDENCE (E.G. FUNDING APPLICATIONS)

  • Authors: Paul Teedon, Margaret Currie, Karin Helwig and Rachel Creaney, 2017

    This comprehensive study involved four (anonymised) rural Scottish communities through community researchers, community engagement exercises, a school lesson, and an information day. It explores the communities’ attitudes, acceptance, and issues with regards to their private water supplies, and concludes with recommendations that are still relevant almost a decade later!

    [Link to full paper – opens in new tab]

  • Author: Emma Ash for Consumer Scotland, 2023

    This is a definitive report, based on engagement with 49 private-water-supply users across nine local authorities, on how decision-makers can best support PWS users in Scotland.

    The 17 pages pack a punch including recommendations for improved practical support e.g. water sampling and follow-on funding and guidance; priorities for policy development; longer term national strategy; and more.

    Link to full paper (opens in a new tab)

  • Authors: Elizabeth Lawson, Jill Robbie, William T. Sloan, and Jaime Amezaga, 2024

    An analysis about the challenges, principally driven by lack of knowledge and visibility, of private water systems and domestic septic tanks, and the need for improved policy to help improve the standard of living of people with decentralised water systems, as it does not currently meet UN SDG Goal 6.

    Includes a comprehensive history about water services in Scotland since the 1800s!

    [Link to full paper - opens in a new tab]

  • Authors: Jill Robbie, Elizabeth Lawson, Luis F. Yanes, 2025

    https://spice-spotlight.scot/2025/10/28/legislating-for-water-resilience-part-4-should-there-be-a-human-right-to-water-in-scotland/

  • Item description

COMMUNITY-LED RESEARCH

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