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Private and public water supplies

Private water supplies are particularly vulnerable to disruption or pollution from changes in the surrounding landscape. Protection is essential. 

Published: 22 Feb 2025

Topic: Manage forests

Private water supplies can vary in terms of:

  • source

  • design/layout

  • size

  • local environmental conditions.

Households and businesses rely on these vulnerable private water supplies. This means it is critical to protect them from:

  • land use change

  • management practices

Managing forestry operations to protect private water supplies

The Managing forestry operations to protect private water supplies replaces the 2018 guidance published by Forest and Water Scotland.

The new guidance is split into sections on:

  • planning and approval

  • operational planning

  • in-operations

  • post-operations

It emphasises that due diligence and safeguarding measures should be undertaken by:

  • forest managers

  • practitioners

  • planners

  • supervisors

Follow the guidance to help protect water quality, quantity and private water supply infrastructure.

Managing forestry operations to protect private water supplies

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