2016/17:
Of a total 2,442,303 billed domestic properties, 447 were metered and 2,441,856 unmetered.
- Very few domestic properties have a water meter installed
- Actions are being implemented to reduce demand and improve efficiency
This briefing note does not relate to an indicator developed with the original set in 2016.
Although Scotland currently has surplus water capacity, the situation varies regionally and some supply areas are in deficit (ASC, 2016a). Projections indicate increasing pressure on resources in future, with water availability reducing because of climate change, coupled with increasing demand due to population growth (ClimateXChange, 2016).
Scottish per capita consumption figures have remained fairly stable over the last decade, and are still higher than other North-Western European countries; Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany and the Netherlands (ASC, 2016a).
Metering is considered one way to manage demand for water. In Scotland very few domestic properties have water meters installed – less than 500 out of 2.4 million properties, compared to approximately 45% of domestic properties in England (ASC, 2016b).
However, while metering is not promoted in Scotland, there are a number of ongoing and planned measures to improve efficiency and reduce water consumption (Scottish Water, 2011; Scottish Government, 2017).
In 2016/17, out of 2.4 million billed domestic properties, 447 were metered (Scottish Water, 2017a).
Chart 1 Uptake of metering by billed domestic properties, 2002/03 to 2016/17
Source: Scottish Water’s Annual Returns to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland
The number of metered properties has remained very low throughout the period, and has fallen year on year since 2008/09 although this decline has levelled off over the last three years.
Year |
Unmetered domestic properties |
Metered domestic properties |
Total domestic properties |
2002/03 |
2,196,960 |
790 |
2,197,750 |
2003/04 |
2,218,429 |
610 |
2,219,039 |
2004/05 |
2,189,396 |
460 |
2,189,856 |
2005/06 |
2,205,319 |
481 |
2,205,800 |
2006/07 |
2,287,706 |
595 |
2,288,301 |
2007/08 |
2,317,718 |
530 |
2,318,248 |
2008/09 |
2,335,284 |
604 |
2,335,888 |
2009/10 |
2,354,891 |
573 |
2,355,464 |
2010/11 |
2,369,860 |
528 |
2,370,388 |
2011/12 |
2,382,151 |
510 |
2,382,661 |
2012/13 |
2,394,277 |
488 |
2,394,765 |
2013/14 |
2,402,987 |
477 |
2,403,464 |
2014/15 |
2411359 |
459 |
2411818 |
2015/16 |
2423640 |
452 |
2424092 |
2016/17 |
2441856 |
447 |
2442303 |
Table 1 Number of metered and unmetered domestic properties
Source: Scottish Water’s Annual Returns to the Water Industry Commission for Scotland
Scottish Water is implementing a number of measures to reduce water consumption. These include:
Water Efficiency Trial
The trial included 2,000 households. Water meters were installed to record the impact of various measures/combinations of measures upon water usage. These measures included advice on reducing water consumption, installation of water efficient devices, and financial incentives. Following analysis of the data, a report will be produced in autumn 2018.
Water Saving Pack Project
Between 2017 and 2021, Scottish Water is engaging with 2% of Scottish householders through distribution of 49,000 water saving packs, that include an advice brochure and, depending on suitability, water efficiency devices. The packs are delivered in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust who manage Home Energy Scotland, the customer facing brand of the Scottish Government’s energy efficiency programmes. Their network of energy advisors provide both water efficiency and energy advice. Scottish Water hopes to scale up this programme in their next business plan.
Since 2013, Scottish building regulations mandate water efficiency measures for new buildings and new work to existing buildings (Scottish Government, 2017).
ASC, 2016a. Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: An independent assessment for the Scottish Parliament. Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change. Available at: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-an-independent-assessment-for-the-scottish-parliament/.
ASC, 2016b. Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme : An independent assessment for the Scottish Parliament Committee on Climate Change. Technical Annex B. Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Committee on Climate Change. Available at: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-an-independent-assessment-for-the-scottish-parliament/.
ClimateXChange, 2016b. CXC Indicator BW8: Domestic water usage. Available at: http://www.climatexchange.org.uk/adapting-to-climate-change/indicators-and-trends/extreme-weather/bw8-domestic-water-usage/ .
Scottish Government (2017) Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. Third annual progress report 2017. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0042/00426516.pdf
Scottish Water (2017a) Scottish Water Annual Return 2016/17 Overview. Scottish Water. Available at: https://www.watercommission.co.uk/UserFiles/Documents/Overview_1.pdf
Scottish Water (2011) Water Efficiency Plan 2011-2015. Scottish Water. Available at: http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/assets/domestic/files/you%20and%20your%20home/water%20efficiency/swwaterefficiencyplan.pdf
Information presented in this document was provided by Scottish Water.