The Rural Water Agenda website was launched in March 2026 as a new online community library designed to support rural communities in accessing information and resources related to private water supplies and private wastewater systems. The website was developed through a collaborative effort between Dr Elizabeth Lawson and Scottish Rural Action. The project was led …
We are delighted to share with you our Annual Report for Year 4 of the EPSRC Programme Grant in Decentralised Water Technologies. Please view the report by clicking on this link. We hope you enjoy reading about our progress to date and welcome any questions that you may have. Please contact: Principal Investigator / William …
Our latest SISC blog explores why fairness—not just abundance—matters when shaping Scotland’s future water systems. Although Scotland is often described as a “hydro nation,” communities across rural and island areas experience water access very differently, with growing pressures from climate change, land use, and ageing infrastructure. The post uses the well‑known equality–equity illustration to explain …
Discover how rural and island communities across Scotland are grappling with a growing housing emergency and why water infrastructure is an often overlooked but essential part of the solution. This thought‑provoking blog explores the challenges facing these communities, the barriers to building new homes, and the urgent need to rethink how water systems support sustainable …
Congratulations to Dr Elizabeth Lawson for having been awarded the Percy Fellowship in the Centre for Rural Economy, at Newcastle University where she will continue with her work on water and the rural economy. The four year position will support her development as an independent researcher, whilst working on a number of national and international …
From 8-12 December 2025, the city of Bangkok, Thailand, hosted the IWA Water and Development Congress, welcoming over 2,000 delegates from 95 countries. The congress brought together a broad and diverse audience, including academic researchers, water utilities, industry representatives, technology developers, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and policymakers, alongside a large exhibition showcasing innovations in water …