Scots asked to use water efficiently as reservoir levels remain below average

Scots are being urged to use water more efficiency in a bid to protect resources and maintain normal water levels.

Scottish Water said August was drier than normal, and it followed the country’s driest spring in 70 years.

It said reservoir levels across Scotland are down by 2% to 73% this week, 9% lower than the average of 82% for this time of year.

The east of Scotland has experienced greater water scarcity than the rest of the country, with average reservoir levels down 1% to 57% this week – 24% below the average of 81% for this time of year.

Scottish Water said demand has increased by 100 million litres per day.

The supplier has asked the public to take small precautions to save water when possible, such as using watering cans instead of garden hoses, taking shorter showers, and turning off the tap when brushing teeth.

Washing machines and dishwashers should only be used when fully loaded, and buckets and sponges should be used to wash cars rather than a hose.

Scots use an average of 178 litres of water per day, Scottish Water said, which is higher than in England and Wales where people use an average of 137 litres per person per day.

John Griffen, Scottish Water’s water operations general manager, said: “We’re working hard to maintain normal supplies for all customers and would ask that they use water efficiently to protect this precious resource.

“We believe that a large part of the additional water use at the moment is in gardens so we would ask that customers are mindful of how much water they use there.

“Any rainfall we have had in parts of the country recently has not been prolonged enough to help our resources recover from the long spells of dry weather we have had recently and earlier this year.

“With no significant rain forecast for the next week or more, it’s important that everyone helps.”

Scottish Water is now considering the possibility of bringing in water from alternative sources at its Backwater and Loch of Lintrathen reservoirs, which serve the Dundee and Tayside areas.

In the West Linton area of the Scottish Borders, Baddinsgill and West Water reservoirs – which serve much of West Lothian – are at 50% and 40%, and Scottish Water is balancing the flows between both sources.

The company is also using tankers to supplement normal water supplies in some parts of the country.