Question reference: S6W-12978
- Date lodged: 8 December 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 December 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of sewage services in the Highlands and Islands region are provided privately for (a) commercial activities and (b) domestic properties.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this data. However, some 126,339 properties are connected to Scottish Water’s sewer network in the North region (which includes Highlands and the Western Isles). In 2021, the National Records of Scotland reported the total number of households in the Highlands and Islands as:
- Highland Council – 110,743
- Na h-Eileanan Siar – 12,925
- Orkney Islands – 10,758
- Shetland Islands – 10,554
Therefore approximately 13% of domestic properties may have private sewerage arrangements in the Highlands and Islands. Overall, the Scottish Government estimates that 8% of households across Scotland have private sewerage arrangements.