water
Public Water Supplies, Yield and Demand: 1981/1982 to 2005/2006
Average volume of water (Ml/day)
| 1981/82 | 1990/91 | 2000/01 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | 2005/06 |
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Yield from developed water resources | 3,246 | 3,486 | 3,564 | 3,359 | 3,343 | 3,094 |
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Daily demand from public supplies | 2,262 | 2,301 | 2,401 | 2,397 | 2,390 | 2,344 |
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For sustainable management of water resources, it is essential to meet consumers' demand and standards, whilst maintaining aquatic ecosystem health. Abstraction of water has impacts on geology, habitats, wildlife, biodiversity, and recreational use of water resources. To prevent low flow levels downstream, minimum compensation flows need to be discharged at all times. Compensation flows are specified in the Water Orders made under the Water (Scotland) Act 1980.
Demand for water in Scotland has increased by 4% since 1981, although yield from developed resources (representing the potential water available) is still greater than demand. Reductions in yield in recent years are due to the rationalisation of treatment works and some being closed as a result. For 2005/2006, daily demand includes an estimated 47% lost through leakage.
Water demand comes from unmetered and metered potable water, and small amounts of non-potable water. Unmetered demand (domestic use, small industries, public use, leakage, etc.) accounted for 80% of daily demand in 2005/2006, compared with 70% in 1981/1982.
SOURCE: SCOTTISH WATER