A STUDY into how water resources in Scotland promote better outcomes for the economy, society and the environment will take part in Fife.

Led by the University of Stirling’s faculty of social sciences, the team will consider how water resources can be organised to derive the greatest benefit for Scottish businesses and communities.

Scheduled to take place throughout the Forth River basin, the study will consider water’s role in shaping better places to live, improving public health, linking our cultural and natural heritage and promoting opportunities for businesses in the food and drink, agriculture, tourism, construction, energy and biotechnology sectors.

The project will work along seven local authorities – Clackmannanshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh, West Lothian, Falkirk, Stirling and Fife – and will incorporate the Forth Valley, Lothian and Fife health boards and the Edinburgh, Fife and Forth Valley Chambers of Commerce and further education colleges.

Professor Richard Simmons, of the University of Stirling’s faculty of social sciences, will be leading the project.

He said: “This is the most extensive study of its kind and we are proud to work with so many important stakeholders.

“It combines the world-class strengths of Stirling’s social and natural scientists in research that will highlight solutions to improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of local communities, while also providing a beacon of innovation for similar water systems and communities across the globe.

“This is very much a multi-disciplinary study, encompassing business, society and the environment, and how our region’s water resources can be optimised for the things that matter most to us all.”