WATER-POLLUTION CONTROL - THE CASE FOR LOCAL-CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY

At a time when substantial changes are taking place, or are proposed, in the organizational structure for preventing water pollution in Scot land, the paper makes the case for maintaining the status quo. The Sco ttish system relies on 10 independent river purification authorities c omprising elected and appointed members, with considerable freedom to set water quality objectives and standards in light of local circumsta nces. The staff of the authorities provide a rapid and well-informed r esponse to pollution problems and the result has been substantial prog ress in cleaning up Scotland's water by optimal use of carefully targe ted resources.