Water quality and monitoring

We check the quality of various types of water including drinking water, swimming pools and recreational lochs.

Drinking water

All drinking water, in homes and public places, should be of a suitable standard, called a 'wholesome' supply. 

If you are worried about the quality of the water at your home, work or anywhere else in South Lanarkshire, Environmental Health officers may be able to sample it. The results will be compared against national microbiological and chemical standards and action could be taken to improve the supply.

In Scotland, lead does not occur naturally in significant concentrations in our water supplies. The problem arises when drinking water comes into contact with lead supply pipes, lead tanks, lead solder joints on copper pipes, or inferior quality brass fittings and taps, particularly for longer periods (e.g. overnight/ weekends / holidays periods). This can result in high lead levels in the drinking water supply.

If you suspect you may have lead pipes, the council encourages you to undertake further works with a view to establishing whether lead is present and to take steps to replace them; and as a short-term, implement some precautionary measures to protect your health.

Information on the health effects of exposure to lead can be found on the NHS Inform website.

Swimming pools, lochs and recreational water 

We regularly check the water in swimming pools and recreational waters such as lochs in parks. We do extra monitoring during risk periods - in the summer we check for blue green algae which can harm humans, animals and aquatic life. If levels are potentially harmful we will make sure that the public is made aware of the risk and told when any risks have been removed.

For more information on water quality contact Environmental Services.