Blog: Let's Support Scotland on and off the World's Biggest Stage - Deirdre Michie

“As we celebrate Scotland’s return to the world’s biggest football stage, it is worth taking a moment to recognise not only those representing the nation on the pitch, but also the people who work every day to keep our country running.”

Deirdre Michie
Chair, Scottish Water

As Scotland prepares to take its place on the world stage, millions of us will do what Scots have always done during major sporting moments: come together.

Many supporters will make the journey across the Atlantic to the United States to follow the national team in person. Others will gather here at home in living rooms, pubs, clubs and community spaces across the country. Whether watching from the stands or from Scotland, we will share the same anticipation, excitement and pride.

The Tartan Army has long been admired for the passion, humour and goodwill it brings wherever it travels. The familiar chant of “No Scotland, No Party” has become part of football folklore, reflecting the unique spirit supporters carry with them to tournaments around the world.

Like many Scots, I’ll be watching with family and friends, hoping for a tournament to remember. Whether you’re fortunate enough to be travelling to the USA or cheering on the team from home, there is something special about seeing Scotland compete on the world stage.

The sun will shine. Families, friends and neighbours will come together to support the national team and for a few weeks, football will give us something to celebrate together.

Vital Services

While the focus will rightly be on the players, supporters and spectacle of the World Cup, there is another story unfolding quietly behind the scenes. One that most of us rarely think about, but which plays a vital role in making events like this possible.

That story is water, and the people who keep it flowing.

From the earliest stages of planning and construction through to the final whistle, reliable water and wastewater services are essential. Stadiums, transport networks, hotels and training facilities all depend on them. Pitches require careful maintenance. Food and drink supply chains rely on water at every stage. The systems that support visitors, communities and businesses simply could not function without it.

When major events begin, the demands increase significantly. Tens of thousands of people travelling through airports, railway stations, city centres and fan zones place additional pressure on infrastructure. Stadiums depend on water for hygiene, catering, sanitation and public health. Behind every successful event is a network of services working continuously to support it.

And when the crowds go home, that work continues.

Wastewater systems operate around the clock to protect rivers, coastlines and the environment. Teams maintain assets, monitor networks and ensure communities continue to receive the services they rely on every day. Much of this activity goes unseen, which is often a sign that it is working exactly as it should.

The same is true here in Scotland.

Whether it is a major sporting tournament, a music festival, a concert or a local community event, water and wastewater services are constantly supporting the moments that matter to people. They help communities thrive, businesses operate and public life function smoothly.

From island communities and rural villages to our largest towns and cities, Scottish Water’s teams work every day to deliver services people depend on and often take for granted. 

At the same time, the challenges we face are evolving.

Climate Change

Climate change is bringing greater variability in weather patterns, with periods of prolonged dry weather often followed by intense rainfall. Population changes, ageing assets and increasing expectations all require us to think differently about how we build resilience for the future.

Responding to these challenges already demands long-term thinking, sustained investment and a commitment to innovation. Across Scotland, work is underway today to strengthen infrastructure, improve resilience and ensure services can continue to meet the needs of communities for decades to come. It also requires collaboration between organisations, communities and stakeholders, working together to protect and enhance the services on which we all depend.

This long-term approach matters because the decisions we make today will shape the services future generations rely on. Building resilience is not a project for tomorrow; it is something we are delivering now, every day, in communities across Scotland.

As a publicly owned organisation serving the people of Scotland, Scottish Water has an important role to play. Every investment we make is focused on strengthening resilience, improving services and protecting the environment for future generations.

Having seen first-hand the professionalism and dedication of colleagues across Scottish Water, I continue to be impressed by the commitment they show every day, often in challenging circumstances and all weathers.

While much of the country enjoys the excitement of the tournament, colleagues across Scottish Water will continue to work around the clock, monitoring systems, maintaining infrastructure and responding whenever communities need support.

Like any successful team, their contribution is not always visible. But it is essential.

Scottish spirit

As we celebrate Scotland’s return to the world’s biggest football stage, it is worth taking a moment to recognise not only those representing the nation on the pitch, but also the people who work every day to keep our country running.

From Biggar to Boston, from village halls and local pubs to stadiums and fan zones thousands of miles away, water supports the moments that bring people together. 

The same spirit can be found in the people who deliver the essential water services we all rely on, with the impact of their work being felt every day, in every community across Scotland.

Long after the final whistle has blown and the tournament becomes a memory, they will still be there, serving customers, supporting communities and keeping water flowing — professionally, reliably and with pride.