Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2012

Water - Footnotes

1) Figures for financial year.

2) 2011/12 data subject to Water Industry Commission confirmation.

3) The figure for raw water abstracted for 2011/12, is the corporate data submitted to SEPA. However, this is required to be collected over the calendar year, 2011 whilst treated water produced data is based on the business reporting year, April 2011 to March 2012. Since 2010/11 raw water abstracted has been based on metered data. Prior to 2010/11 it was estimated based on a calculation methodology.

4) Figures for raw water abstracted and treatment process losses and raw water mains losses are estimates up to 2009/10. In 2010, slight corrections have been made to years 07/08 and 08/09.

5) Total Top Down Leakage is the summation of Scottish Water distribution network losses and customer supply side leakage, as calculated using ISO9001 Water Balance methodologies.

6) Treated water produced is measured and is the figure reported in the SW Annual Return to WICS.

7) Operational use includes standpipe volumes, fire service use, hydrant misuse, void property use, as well as use by Scottish Water in Offices, waste water treatment works, the distribution network and sewer jetting.

8) During the reporting of the 2011 data an error was discovered in the original data submission, which led to the dataset being revised for all years. The error occurred due to an incorrect set of parameters being mistakenly used, which stemmed from the developmental phase of the long term water quality indicator. The error does not substantially alter the results for the indicator and control measure have been put in place to prevent reoccurrence. Further information can be found: http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/monitoring_and_classification.aspx

9) Only parameters available over the whole period are included in the indicator; thus it is not possible to equate these results with those using the latest classification based on all the parameters in the Water Framework Directive.

10) Data are expressed as mg N/l. To convert to mg NO₃/l (nitrate), multiply by 62/14.

11) A set of around 200 sites, based on nitrate directive locations, was used.

12) This applies to most European rivers though for some rivers up to 1 mg N/l is reported. European Environment Agency, 'Indicator Fact Sheet'. '(WEU02) Nutrients in Rivers'.

13) In Aberdeen, Moray, Banff and Buchan; Strathmore and Fife; Lothians and Borders; and Lower Nithsdale.

14) Under The Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2002 and The Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 and EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) Annex 1A(3).

15) Soluble reactive phosphorus was measured as µg P/l. To convert to µg PO₄/l (orthophosphate), multiply by 95/31.