Scotland’s critical water infrastructure faces growing pressure from urban expansion and rising water demands compounded by climate change. These challenges highlight the urgent need to strengthen the resilience of our water resources. Learning from diverse perspectives and practical examples is essential as Scotland moves from traditional surface water collection and treatment systems toward greater surface water reuse.
Flooding is one of the most serious climate-related risks facing Scotland, with events expected to become more frequent and severe. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) plays a vital role in forecasting floods, issuing warnings, and helping communities prepare. Exciting new research led by the University of Strathclyde and funded by CREW explored how cutting-edge technologies could strengthen these efforts.
CREW is governed according to key policy areas in Scotland’s water sector including flooding, water scarcity, coastal erosion, catchment management, rural sustainability, water quality and health, and resource recovery. Cross-cutting activities focus on adapting to climate change, land use and urbanisation, promoting the circular economy, a post-COVID green recovery, the move to net zero and a just transition for communities.
All our work has an overarching consideration of maximising the benefits of research to society and the environment.
CREW projects originate from our water policy, regulatory and industry partners as need arises. The organisations that can request work through CREW are: Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Drinking Water Quality Regulator, Scottish Water, NatureScot, Scottish Canals, Food Standards Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland, Consumer Scotland and Public Health Scotland.
A recent CREW project led by The James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College, the University of Aberdeen, and the British Geological Survey, highlighted a pressing issue for Scotland: the increasing likelihood and duration of water scarcity events due to climate change. This project, focused on the impact of these changes on three critical sectors—crop production, livestock farming, and distilleries.
CREW's Hydrological Extremes, Coasts and Risk Management theme focusses on providing high quality science knowledge regarding:
The projects undertaken within this theme support policy and regulation areas including:
CREW’s Land and Water Resource Management theme focusses on providing high quality science knowledge regarding:
The projects undertaken within this theme aligns with policy and regulation areas including:
CREW’s Water Quality and Health theme focusses on providing high quality science knowledge regarding:
The projects undertaken within this theme support policy and regulation areas including:
Recent research published within this thematic area includes:
