Water pollution

Drinking water supplies

Most people in Midlothian are supplied by mains water.  The quality of mains water is looked after by Scottish Water.  If you have any concerns about the quality of a mains supply you should contact Scottish Water or Enviromental Health.

Lead in drinking water

Public water supplies only contain a very small amount of lead if any.  However lead pipes and solder in domestic plumbing can give rise to unacceptable levels of lead in tap water.  If you believe you may have lead pipes or lead soldered plumbing, Environmental Health can arrange for your water to be tested. 

Private water supplies

Some properties within the more rural areas of Midlothian Council may have a private water supply, particularly where there is no mains connection.  The private supply may be from a well, borehole, spring or surface supply.

If you have a problem with your private water supply please contact Environmental Health. We can provide advice and sample if necessary. There may be a charge for sampling.

Classification of supplies

Private Water Supplies are classified as Type A or Type B:

• Type A:
• those supplies which the water is used for a commercial activity,
• the source provides water for more than 50 people or
• has a capacity greater than 10m3 per day.

• Type B:
• all other supplies (mostly small domestic supplies).

Sampling of private water supplies

The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 lays down the sampling requirements of private water supplies.  The sampling is done to check compliance with a wide range of bacteriological and chemical parameters which indicate the wholesomeness of the water.

Type A supplies require to be sampled at least once per year. There is no legislative requirement to sample Type B supplies, however we have a rolling programme to sample all Type B supplies every 5 years.

Sampling costs

There are costs associated with the sampling and risk assessment which are prescribed in the legislation which will normally be passed on to the person requesting the sample.

Water samples cost £70 and risk assessments cost £50.

 Further information

• Private water supplies website