Leaks and Leakage

Whether you've spotted something that doesn't look right, found a card from us through your letterbox, or seen water where it shouldn't be — you're in the right place. Not all leaks are visible — some happen underground and produce no obvious signs at the surface, while others show up as water running in the street.

Even a small leak can lead to bigger problems for your home. Left unresolved, leaks can reduce your water pressure, cause damage to your property or garden, and in some cases lead to subsidence or ground collapse. Reporting a leak early helps protect your home and keeps water flowing reliably for you and your neighbours.

Who is responsible?
One of the most common questions we're asked. The answer depends on where the leak is.

A simple way to think about it:

Scottish Water looks after

• The water main in the road.
•  The pipe from the main to the boundary of your property (sometimes called the communication pipe).
• Any leak on a road, pavement, or public land.

You look after

• The pipe from your property boundary into your house (your supply pipe)
• All the plumbing and pipework inside your home
• Any pipes running through your garden or under your driveway

Not sure where your boundary is? That's completely normal — most people don't. You can find more detail on our Pipework Responsibilities fact sheet, or just report the issue and we'll help you work it out.

If a leak is on our network, we'll fix it at no cost to you. If it's on your supply pipe, Scottish Water may be able to offer an assisted leak repair — you can find out more in our Customer Leakage factsheet.

What to do right now

Choose the option that best describes your situation.

What can I expect to see?

If we're investigating a leak in your area, you may see technicians working on our behalf. They carry out specialist work such as leak detection surveys, which can involve listening for leaks using sounding equipment. Here's what to look out for: