This information applies to Scotland only

Water and sewerage services provided by Scottish Water

Most water and sewerage services for households are provided and maintained by Scottish Water. You may receive the services through the public water supply or sewerage network. At least 3 % of households have a private water supply and some also have a septic tank .These services are not provided by Scottish Water.

More about septic tanks.

Complaint process

If you want to complain about water or sewerage services from Scottish Water you can:

Step one - phone the Scottish Water Customer helpline

on 0845 601 8855. Scottish Water will try to resolve the problem over the telephone with you but you may need to write to the Services Review Team. Remember to include copies of relevant paper work.

Step two – write to the Services Review Team

at:

Scottish Water
PO Box 8855
Edinburgh
EH10 6YQ

Email: customer.concerns@scottishwater.co.uk

You might like to use our guidance about writing letters.

Under Scottish Water’s Code of Practice you should receive a written response to any complaint within 10 working days. If there are going to be further investigations Scottish Water will let you know this.

Step three

If you are still not happy after contacting Scottish Water because of what they are proposing to do to solve your problem you can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). This is a free, independent and confidential service. The SPSO can look into how Scottish Water has handled your complaint. It can’t look into problems from over 12 months ago or a problem about which you have taken legal action.

You might like to use our guidance about writing letters.

You can contact the SPSO office at:

SPSO
Freepost EH641
Edinburgh
EH3 0BR

Tel: Freephone 0800 377 7330
Website: www.spso.org.uk

Further information

The Scottish Water website has comprehensive information about its services and standards for consumers. If you need more information about the problem or issue that you want to make your complaint about see www.scottishwater.co.uk.

Water and sewerage services provided by a private contractor

When you have used a private contractor for water or sewerage services, for example, to desludge your septic tank or clear a blocked drain you should have a contract with it for these services. The contract maybe on paper or perhaps it was a verbal agreement.

Under consumer law (legal note 1) you do have contractual protection for the service you received.

More about consumer contracts and how to use them.

Legal note

1 the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended), Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 or Supply of Goods (Implied Terms) Act 1973.