Choppy waters ahead for Scotland's water?

Information

In partnership with the University of Dundee

The television drama A Dirty Business focused on the failings of English water companies and, while Scottish Water is publicly owned, it still faces major challenges. From climate change to ageing infrastructure, water scarcity, demographic shifts and pollutants, water use is rising due to emerging industries such as hydrogen production. What’s the plan for Scotland’s water resources, services and infrastructure and where is the legal reform to adapt to these pressures?

Panellists:

Professor Sarah Hendry is an environmental lawyer specialising in water, especially water quality and the governance and regulation of water services. She is the Head of Law at the University of Dundee, and she also works within the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, which is hosted at the University.

Dr Shivali Fifield is the chief officer for the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland. Established in 2020, their aim is to support people to exercise their rights in environmental law and to protect the environment. Their free law service has responded to over 650 enquiries across Scotland to promote access to justice. Previously, Shivali has worked at a senior level in the fields of youth work, rough sleeping and refugee integration.

Simon Parsons leads the Wastewater Directorate at Scottish Water. His directorate spans drainage, wastewater networks, treatment and biosources covering operations and maintenance, strategy, planning, environmental regulation and PFI.