Water quality matters; water is a precious and important natural resource. In Scotland, groundwater - natural stores of water underground - contain the largest volumes of freshwater. The rest is contained in surface water - ie. in lochs, streams and rivers. The quality of these freshwater stores is important because it is used for drinking water.
Water is also needed to generate energy, to grow crops, to harvest fish and for a great deal more. It is used for many purposes - for washing and cleaning, to carry wastes, industrial abstraction, to run machinery, for cooking, gardening and angling, as well as for recreational enjoyment. In addition to the uses we make of it, water is vital as part of our landscape, and as a habitat for both freshwater and marine plants and animals.
The Scottish Executive has policy responsibility for maintaining and improving the quality of both fresh and marine waters in Scotland. It works closely with a number of partners to ensure that it is kept clean and free of pollution. Partners include Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which manage water resources and enforcement of water quality standards