Water Disputes

Private water supplies can be crucial to those living and working in rural Scotland. Often drawn from springs, boreholes, burns, or lochs, private supplies ensure that residential properties remain habitable, that livestock and crops can be watered, and that land can be irrigated.

As demand increases and weather patterns become more erratic, disputes over water rights and responsibilities are rising. We have seen a marked increase in enquires from owners of private water supplies about these matters in recent times.

Disputes often arise where a private supply serves multiple properties, particularly where informal arrangements have governed its use for many years. Disputes often centre around issues of usage, maintenance, and replacement of supplies. Challenges may be exacerbated by unclear titles, old deeds, a lack of any plans (or the absence of a coloured plan), or the lack of any formal agreement.