Authorised Departures

The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 give standards for drinking water quality. These standards are in place to ensure that the water supplied to consumers is wholesome. They are set at a level below that which might be considered to present a risk to human health.

Some public water supplies in Scotland do not consistently meet these standards. Under the 2001 Regulations, Scottish Water may apply to Scottish Ministers for an Authorised Departure.

An Authorised Departure is effectively Scottish Ministers giving Scottish Water permission to supply water, which does not meet these standards for a specified period of time.

Authorised Departures will not be granted for a period in excess of three years, nor where the breach of the standard could present a risk to human health. When Scottish Ministers authorise a Departure, a limit is set for the standards in question and a commitment is given by Scottish Water to secure compliance by an agreed date. Additional monitoring for those parameters, at frequencies in excess of those set out in the Regulations, may also be agreed.

When applying for an Authorised Departure, Scottish Water must copy their application to every appropriate local authority, the NHS board, and the Water Industry Commissioner. All of these authorities have an opportunity to make representations on the application.

Once an application is granted, Scottish Water must publicise the Departure either by placing an advertisement in an appropriate local newspaper, or, in smaller supply zones, by notifying individual customers by post.

The DWQR monitors progress with the work undertaken by Scottish Water to ensure that it is on track to achieve compliance by the date agreed in the Authorised Departure. Should progress with the scheme give cause for concern, the DWQR can initiate enforcement action.

Details of all Authorised Departures granted to Scottish Water, and copies of the Departures themselves, may be seen on Scottish Water's website