Scotland's future as a 'hydro nation' as set out in the Water Resources (Scotland) Bill is to be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament's Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee.

The Bill would require ministers to report to the Scottish Parliament every three years on whether water resources' value is being developed, require Scottish Water to promote the use of its assets for renewable energy generation, and make it a legal offence to dump fat, oil or grease from non-domestic properties into public sewers. Breaches would be punishable with a jail sentence of up to 12 years.

The Scottish Government wants the Bill to "set the framework" for Scotland to make the most of its water resources.


Speaking as the committee launched its call for evidence, convener Maureen Watt MSP said: "It is in everyone's interests that our valuable resources are both protected and utilised appropriately. We are asking people to write to us over summer so that we can read and reflect on the evidence before determining who we wish to come in and talk to us in autumn."

The Committee has issued a detailed call for evidence to help it assess the views of individuals and organisations on the content of the bill, specifically:

1. Development of water resources

2. Control of water abstraction

3. Scottish water’s functions

4. Raw water quality

5. Non-domestic services

6. Sewerage quality

7. Water shortages orders

The Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee will report on the consultation's findings by the end of November 2012.

For more information, see www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/52883.aspx

Photograph: Maureen Watt at Turret Water Treatment Works to hear about how Scottish Water has used the site to generate energy for powering the plant as well as 450 homes.

(NE/GK)