Private Water Supplies

Grants of up to £800 are available from ourselves to help you improve your private water supply irrespective of it being a 2017 Regulated supply or a 2006 type B supply. This may include the installation of treatment equipment, or for the provision of a new private water supply or domestic distribution system (within the meaning of the 2006 Regulations).

The Grant Scheme is non-means tested and you may be eligible for financial assistance if:

• Your home or business is in the Argyll and Bute area and served by a private water supply;
• The private water supply is the main or sole source of water for human consumption purposes to these premises; and
• Your private water supply is in need of improvement to bring it up to modern standards.

If you share your supply with a number of neighbouring premises, you may wish to consider making a joint application. A joint application can be submitted in respect of all the premises served by the supply, by you and the other owners or occupiers acting together. In the majority of cases, a joint approach is likely to provide the most effective long-term solution to improve your water quality.

If your existing property is served by a private supply and you want to upgrade by installing or moving to a new supply such as a borehole then grant assistance may also be available, however you should ensure that you have fully researched this option. Further advice regarding borehole drilling, use, design an dregistration is available from SEPA and www.mygov.scot/new-private-water-supply  

The cost of improving a private supply can vary and there will be instances where the supply requires work that exceeds the £800 grant. In such cases, it will be your responsibility to meet the additional costs. We can provide information and advice about the Grant Scheme and help you complete the application form.

You should not start any of the improvement works before your application is approved and we have agreed that the expenditure is necessary. A risk assessment of your supply will be carried out to highlight the details of improvements required to get your Private Water Supplies to the correct standard. There will be a charge for this, but if you are on a type B supply then this is carried out as part of the grant scheme for free.

There are some exceptions to Grant availability, the most common being:

• New builds - with planning permission or constriction after 2006.
• Houses under Closing Orders, Demolition Orders or a Dangerous Building Notice.
• Empty or unoccupied premises,
• Connection to the mains - a grant may be available to connect to the mains in some circumstances under different legislation please see below.

Further details of these restrictions and others can be supplied upon request.

If you are on a type B supply and you receive a grant, there are no ongoing obligations for sampling or other commitments to the Council.

For initial enquiries regarding the Grant, or any of the information above, please contact your local area office or email:PWS@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Can I Connect to the Mains using a Grant?

Whilst a private water supply grant cannot currently be paid for connections to the public mains, some funding MAY in certain circumstances be available under a different scheme. If the property is owner occupied and your only home and you wish to enquire further with respect of connecting your property currently served by a private supply to the Scottish Water Mains please contact us to discuss further PWS@argyll-bute.gov.uk. Further information regarding the process of connection the public mains is available from the Scottish Water Website.

Grant Application and Related Forms

Grants Leaflet -

Guidance on why you should improve your supply and who is eligible. 

Private Water Supply Grant Application Form -

Please print and complete this form and return it to the address shown. You should read the guidance notes before completing the form. Once your application form has been received we will contact you to discuss the next steps. Do not start any works until you have received confirmation from us to go ahead.

Private Water Supply Grant Application and Process Guidance -

Please read this note before you complete your application form or carry out any work.