Reservoir Safety 
There are currently some 678 large raised reservoirs (reservoirs holding or capable of holding more than 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level) in Scotland.
Policy on ensuring that reservoirs operate safely and are properly managed is extremely important and is a matter for the Scottish Ministers, with the Reservoirs Act 1975 (UK) in place to minimise and reduce risk.
The Reservoirs Act provides the legal framework for ensuring reservoir safety, with the regulation and enforcement of the Act being the responsibility of local authorities.
The cornerstone of reservoir operational safety is inspection and reporting by an Inspecting Engineer at least once every ten years, and that any recommendations made are implemented.
As the Enforcement Authority, local authorities have duties under the Act to maintain a register of all large raised reservoirs, to enforce the measures stipulated in the Act, and to report on them to the Scottish Ministers biennially.
Primary responsibility for reservoir safety, however, lies with the undertakers. There are several terms with specific meaning used in the Act, and these can be defined as follows:
Large raised reservoir
A reservoir designed to hold or capable of holding more than 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level.
Enforcement Authority
Within Scotland, each of the 32 Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the Reservoirs Act 1975.
Undertaker
The operator, user and or owner of the reservoir. Undertakers have ultimate responsibility for the safety of their reservoirs.
Supervising Engineer
Supervises the operation and maintenance of the reservoir - the "eyes and ears" of the undertaker.
Inspecting Engineer
Appointed to inspect the reservoir once every ten years, or more frequently if necessary, identify and make recommendations to be taken in the interest of safety when appropriate.