Scottish Water provides water and waste water services to household and business customers across Scotland. It is answerable to the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people and aims to run the business as efficiently and effectively as possible, meeting targets set by its regulator the Water Industry Commissioner. In addition to its main role of providing water and waste water services, Scottish Water is also involved in education as well as conservation, access and recreation activities.

The Tweed catchment plays an important role in providing high quality water for domestic and industrial use in the Borders and in the Edinburgh area.