Science & The Environment
What we do.
We look after one of Scotland’s most important resources, water. This is a huge responsibility and involves many different specialist jobs to ensure that we are keeping our environment safe, now and for future generations, while also trying to deal with the impact of climate change and reaching our target of being Net Zero by 2040.
The skills involved in these roles:
Have a look at the videos and blogs below to hear from people working in these roles and what they do.
Jonathon Manley
Senior Scientist
Jonathon started working at Scottish Water as a lab assistant and has now worked his way up to a Senior Scientist role. He discusses here what he enjoys most about his role.
Andrew Sunde
Environmental Advisor
Andrew discusses how a part-time job turned into a varied career which involves the protection of Scotland’s environment, whether it’s wildlife, archeology or marine surroundings.
Sanjeeva Subbureddiar
Specialist Graduate – Engineer Hydro Development
Sanjeeva discusses how studying Mechanical Engineering (with Renewables) led to finding a graduate role where he can gain hands-on operational experience and travel around Scotland looking for potential hydropower opportunities at our reservoirs and treatment sites.
Abbie Mowat
Specialist Graduate: Scientific Services
Abbie discusses what it's really like to be a woman in a STEM role and how she didn't let anything hold her back from pursuing her passion.
Isla Jones
Scientist
Meet Isla a Scientist in our Inverness Labs, who is being interviewed as part of UK Science Week. She has been named a 'Rising Star 2023' by the Institute of Water. She explains how her interest in Microbiology refined her career choices and discusses the development opportunities she has had through representing Scotland with the Institute of Water.
Georgie Cassidy
Intern in a Chemistry Lab
Our graduate intern programme runs for 12 weeks over the summer for students in their penultimate year of university. Our interns were tasked with making a short video about what they do during their time with us……have a look!
Saarh Ali
Intern in an Inorganics Lab
Our graduate intern programme runs for 12 weeks over the summer for students in their penultimate year of university. Our interns were tasked with making a short video about what they do during their time with us……have a look!
Further content:
Lewis peatland restoration
Scottish Water is working with communities on the Isle of Lewis to restore eroding, damaged peatlands and ensure they continue to act as vital carbon storage. The peatland restoration schemes, at Loch Fasgro and Loch Orasaigh, will also help protect drinking water sources and biodiversity.
Nature calls
Our new campaign is asking people to 'bin the wipes'. Many wipes contain plastic, meaning they don't break down in the sewer and can cause blockages. Climate change brings heavier rainfall. As sewers become overwhelmed, household waste products – wipes, sanitary items, nappies – can escape into our rivers and end up on our beaches. Not just unpleasant, this is harmful to the environment and the wildlife we share it with.
Upstream battle
80% of litter on land will end up in our marine environment, impacting on wildlife and our ecosystems. Keep Scotland Beautiful, a charity focusing on protecting our natural environment, started this campaign to reduce marine litter. Scottish Water supported the campaign and we worked together on five events along the river Clyde.
Wildfires
Did you know that we have wildfires in Scotland? Watch the video to see messaging around the dangers of causing wildfires, responsible behaviour and respect, and specifically the impact that wildfires are having on our water resources. The video also shows the sustainable land management career path.
River Annan eel pass
Endangered eels have had their access opened up to lengthy new stretches of waterways in the south of Scotland. A new eel pass has been put in place over the Milnby Weir to allow them to get into the upper reaches of the River Annan and its tributaries.
Earthworms used to treat waste water as part of innovative study
One of Scottish Waters treatment sites in a little town, called Littlemill has been part of a European study to trial using micro organisms and worms to help clean waste water in a way that is kinder to the environment.
Here more from our team member in the blogs below.
Useful links:
Scottish Water - Careers
Visit our careers site for more information.