Public water supplies come from rivers, lochs, reservoirs and groundwater.

The main source of drinking water for residents in the River South Esk catchment and wider region of Angus, is Loch Lee on the River North Esk catchment and Loch of Lintrathen and Backwater Reservoir on the Isla, a sub-catchment of the Tay. Backwater Reservoir supplies water to 300,000 people in Angus as well as Dundee and Perth and Kinross.  Glenogil Reservoir, which is part of the Noran Water sub-catchment, is a ‘reserve’ water supply.

Loch Lee and Backwater Reservoir are operated by Scottish Water and are found in the glaciated, uplands of Angus. Steep-sided, u-shaped glens in the uplands are ideally suited for water capture and storage.  High rainfall in the uplands together with hard, impermeable rocks ensure there is plenty of water to capture and that once it is caught it doesn’t seep away. 

Before water can be safely consumed, it must first be treated at a Scottish Water treatment works, where it is screened and filtered before it is disinfected with chlorine. Chlorine has been used to make water safe for human consumption since 1897. The quality of drinking water in the UK is governed by strict laws. Scottish Water regularly test the water quality to ensure it meets the required standards.

Approximately 3% of Scottish residents have a private water supply whereby water comes from a spring, borehole, well, river or loch; this is most typically the case with rural properties. Whilst it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain and manage a private water supply, water quality is regulated by Angus Council.