Water publications

A key role for SEPA is to monitor and report on the state of Scotland’s water environment. Reports and publications on our work relating to improving water environments can be found in the table below.

Water publications Content 
Significant Water Management Issues A comprehensive assessment of the threats to Scotland’s water and identify measures for improvement.
River basin planning These give an introduction to how the water environment within each district will be managed.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) These publications are aimed at anyone involved in the planning or design of SUDS schemes.
Characterisation reports The reports, produced in 2005, were the most detailed assessment ever produced on the pressures and impacts on the water environment.
Water Framework Directive (WFD) Published in 2002, these give background information on the introduction of this major Directive.
Bathing water reports Produced annually, these reports provide comprehensive information on the quality of Scotland's bathing waters.
Habitat Enhancement Initiative (HEI) The HEI publications focus on SEPA's aims and duties regarding conservation, biodiversity and sustainable development working in partnership with others to protect Scotland's environment.
Catchment management plans These record the state of the catchments and review the main impacts on water quality. The plans also identify where issues may need to be addressed in different areas of the catchment and long-term objectives for the catchment.
Scotland's Water Environment Review 2000-2006 Examines trends in water quality in Scotland between 2000-2006, assesses whether SEPA met its targets to improve water quality by 2006 and considers future issues.
SEPA supporting guidance: good practice guides Documents produced for SEPA staff, which we have made publicly available, and documents produced by SEPA specifically for external use.

If you own/operate a controlled activity, please refer to the following publications for specific regulatory advice and guidance.

Title Date Topic(s) Size
pdf link Controlled Activities Regulations: A Practical Guide Jun 2008 water 541k
pdf link Abstraction licences for irrigation: An explanation of charges  Sep 2007 water 128k
pdf link Septic tanks - Important new changes to the control of small private sewage discharges Mar 2008 water 140k
pdf link Controlled Activities Regulations: Guidance for applicants on supporting information requirements for Hydropower applications Jun 2009 water 945k
pdf link The Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations Guidance Note 1998 February 1998 water 2878k