Beneath the surface of a 'Hydro Nation': pursuing the right to safe drinking water in Scotland

Sustainable Development Goal 6, target 1, aims to achieve universal access to safe, affordable drinking water by 2030. The UK has already reported that 100% of the population has met this target. However, recent research has shown that many households in Scotland either struggle to access safe drinking water, or struggle to afford their water bill. This thesis frames these struggles as injustices and explores how genuinely universal access to safe, affordable drinking water in Scotland might be achieved.

Objectives

The objectives of the research are:
1. To understand what factors influence people's understanding of safe drinking water and identify opportunities to reconcile scientific and non-scientific/alternative perspectives on drinking water safety.
2. To understand how greater water justice might be achieved and water conflicts in Scotland prevented in future
3. To understand how water poverty was experienced during the Cost of Living crisis.
4. To explore the risk of private water supplies on people in Scotland and current opportunities to minimize risk

Outcomes

The outcomes of this research will be shared with decision makers so that where appropriate, policy can account for lessons learned and to ensure that it represents everybody in society and ensure those most vulnerable are not left behind. The findings will also add to the academic literature on water insecurity in high income countries, as well as offering a new approach for framing struggles for water justice and to understanding how conflicts might be prevented or de-escalated.

Methodology to be used

This research centres lived experience and will use semi-structured interviews, as well as quantitative and qualitative surveys to collect data that will provide an insight into Scottish households day-to-day experiences of water insecurity/injustice.