Water - Broad general education (Early to fourth level)

As well as being used for drinking, water is used in industry (e.g. distilling whisky and fisheries), for producing energy (hydropower), and for recreational activities (such as bird-watching, angling and water sports).

Data

Use the Bathing Water app below to find out about Scotland’s bathing waters and beaches near you?

Is your beach as clean as you would expect?

Bathing waters application

Discover more data on Scotland's water environment

Use the water environment hub application to see the status of the rivers, lochs, estuaries and coasts in Scotland. Find out about water levels, invasive species or overall condition.

View the SEPA Water environment hub for further information about the status of Scotland's waters.

What is the trend in Scottish river pollution?

Easy-to-understand graph to show the length of Scotland’s rivers at each category of pollution. What do you notice about the trend over the past 20 years?

Find out more about the status of Scotland's groundwater and surface water between 2009 and 2016

Has the quality of water improved or declined? What do you think the reasons for this are? Click on the Water classification hub below to explore water quality.

Water classification hub application

This data analysis application allows you to view how the overall condition, physical condition, water flows and levels, and water quality are expected to change over time for surface freshwaters and groundwaters.

Maps

Explore this flood map and areas likely to flood

This SEPA flood map shows areas which are likely to flood from rivers, the sea and surface water.

Overview map of Scotland’s rivers, coasts and lochs and their water quality

Scotland's environment map showing Scotland's rivers, coasts and lochs and their water quality. What factors are having an effect on the quality of waterways near you?

Map of major river catchment areas

Scotland's environment map showing major river catchment areas. Are your schools grounds within the catchment of a major river?

Scotland's seas

Scotland’s seas cover an area larger than its land area. This map shows the boundaries.

Scotland's sea water

Diagram showing Atlantic water circulation and coastal water circulation around Scotland.

Citizen Science Surveys

Bloomin' Algae Bloomin' Algae Citizen scientists across the UK are being urged to help the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) monitor harmful algal blooms which can threaten public health as well as the lives of dogs, cattle, birds and fish.
Sealife Tracker Sealife Tracker The Sealife Tracker project aims to collect much needed data on both invasive and climate change indicator marine species around the UK coastline.
Big Pond Dip Big Pond Dip This simple survey will allow you to do a mini health check on your pond, find out what is currently thriving under the surface and learn a bit more about what species you find.
Big Spawn Count Big Spawn Count Citizen science project surveying the spawning patterns of amphibians in garden and school ponds.
The Great Nurdle Hunt The Great Nurdle Hunt Look for nurdles on your local beach you can have fun and help show the local plastics industry their impact on the River Forth.

Resources

We have produced videos to help you with data sampling, collection and recording - produced in partnership with Education Scotland and OPAL (Open Air Laboratories).

Pond dipping

Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)

Water clarity and pH

Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)

Water infographic

Scotland's environment Water Infographic (PDF) allows teachers to find out more about water across Scotland.