Private water supplies
Information about private water supplies: what they are, what regulations apply to them, and how to maintain them.
Private water supplies
A private water supply is a water supply which is not provided by Scottish Water. This may come from:
- a loch
- burn
- spring
- well
- river
- pond
- borehole
or a combination of these.
Sampling and risk assessment of private water supplies
Regulated supplies
Stirling Council have a statutory duty to monitor the safety of all regulated supplies on an annual basis, through sampling. The requirements for sampling are determined by The Water Intended for Human Consumption (Private Supplies) (Scotland) Regulations 2017. Further information can be found on the Drinking Water Quality Regulator's website.
There is a requirement for a private water supply ‘risk assessment’ to be undertaken assess safety.
Once completed, risk assessments must be reviewed at least every 5 years.
Risk assessments do not necessarily have to be completed by Stirling Council and can be carried out by any competent private organisation, following all statutory guidance. If you wish to do this please contact us to discuss.
Domestic supplies
There is no statutory requirement for Stirling Council to sample or risk assess domestic supplies. Should you wish to have your supply sampled or risk assessed, this can be arranged upon request and the costs involved are detailed below.
Private water supply grant
A grant payment of up to £800 is available to make improvements to private water supplies. This can be increased if households are experiencing financial hardship. Improvement works must be approved and the grant will be paid once the work is complete.
To apply for the grant, download the application form below, complete it, and return it to:
Stirling Council
Regulatory Services
Endrick House
Kerse Road
Stirling
FK7 7SN
If you require further information or have any questions you can email regulatory services.
Classification of Private Water Supplies
Private water supplies are classified as being either:
Regulated: A source supplying 50 or more persons, or supplying commercial or public activities, irrespective of size
Type B (Domestic): Supplies serving only domestic premises, with less than 50 persons supplied.
Private water supplies fees and charges
Regulated supplies
Sampling visit including resamples: £70
Analysis: £82
Total charge for sampling and analysis: £152
Risk assessment visit: £70
Risk assessment completion: £35 per hour on site
Maximum risk assessment charge: £175
Type B supplies
Sampling visit including resamples: £70
Analysis: £48
Total charge for sampling and analysis: £118
Risk assessment visit: £70
Risk assessment completion £50
Risk assessment total: £120