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Glasgow Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New plan aims to secure Scotland's water for the future
The plan follows the driest start to a year since 1964 and sets out a future-facing, comprehensive approach to ensuring water and wastewater services across the country remain sustainable, resilient, and affordable. The plan addresses the daunting challenges the Scottish water industry faces in the next 25 years. These challenges include increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods. Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water (Image: Supplied) The population continues to fluctuate and change, and existing infrastructure needs to be replaced to meet modern demands and improve environmental conditions. Three long-term outcomes were prioritised following a seven-week public consultation and included: making Scottish tap water a national resource; improving the quality of rivers and seas, and the prevention of sewer flooding through collaboration with communities; and enabling Scotland's sustainable and economic housing growth. To achieve this, Scottish Water will focus on collaboration and partnerships, transforming operations to drive efficiencies, and reducing demand on services while helping customers use less water and manage surface rainwater efficiently. Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water, said: "More extreme weather events – as we've seen with the recent record dry spell – are becoming the new normal in Scotland. "The risks of too little and too much rain are increasing and responding to those to avoid harm to customers and the environment is at the very heart of our long-term strategy. "Everyone who lives in Scotland is a shareholder in Scottish Water and we all have a responsibility to protect our most precious resource." The average daily water use per person in Scotland is currently among the highest in the UK at 178 litres of water compared to 137 litres combined average in England and Wales. Scottish Water has warned that without adaptation, extreme weather could result in a water deficit of 240 million litres per day by 2050.
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Water imposes ‘hypocritical' guidelines amid heatwave – see how it affects you
PIPE DREAM Scottish Water imposes 'hypocritical' guidelines amid heatwave – see how it affects you Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTTISH Water have been blasted for imposing "hypocritical" water guidelines on the public while losing MILLIONS of litres every day. The country is currently going through one of its worse dry spells in decades as temperatures soar past 22C. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scotland is going through its worst dry spell in 60 years Credit: John Kirkby 4 Rivers are running low after drying up in the heat Credit: John Kirkby 4 Scots are being urged to save water Credit: John Kirkby Reservoirs are currently sitting at 81 per cent, ten percent less than they normally are in May. It has seen the water quango urge Scots to conserve water. Alex Plant, Scottish Water's Chief Executive, 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. 'Scotland's climate is clearly changing and, as a country, we need to ensure we adapt both by investing appropriately in water infrastructure – which Scottish Water is doing - and ensuring we do what we can to use water more efficiently in our homes and businesses. 'Water is always worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden we can make our country's water go even further and help maintain normal supplies.' Scottish Water's plea ended up being soaked in irony, after it emerged while urging the public to save water, they are losing millions of litres. The company's own figures revealed they lost 454 litres in a day because of leaky pipes across the country, reports The Daily Mail. Scotland's Drinking Water Quality Regulator served Scottish Water with a notice over a major maintenance backlog. Douglas Lumsden, Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesman, said: "Scottish Water cannot expect Scots to cut down given they are losing the equivalent of nearly 200 swimming pools each day, which people will see as completely hypocritical. "This advice will also have a major impact on our farmers who rely on water for crop production and to do their jobs. Scotland faces 25C heat surge from TODAY – but weather expert has warning for early May "Scots will be hoping that their efforts to cut down water wastage will prove more fruitful as this spell of good weather continues." Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: "Being told to reduce water consumption will be hard for people to swallow when Scottish Water have failed to fix underlying problems and leaky pipes." A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: "We work hard every day to find and fix leakage. How can you save water? HERE is how Scottish Water is urging people to save water: Showers and baths use the most amount of water in the home (30%). Knocking 2 minutes off your shower can save over 5,000 litres and £130 off your energy bill, each year. Cleaning our teeth with the tap running wastes 5 litres of water a minute - an instant saving by simply turning off the tap while brushing. Found a dripping tap? A dripping tap can waste over 5,500 litres of water a year so make sure taps are turned off properly or replace the washer. A leaking toilet can waste between 215 and 400 litres of water every day. Between 5 and 8% of toilets are leaking, and it is most common with dual flush toilets. So if your toilet is leaking, get it fixed as quickly as possible. Save on your energy bills by filling the kettle with only the water you need, you'll also save time waiting for the kettle to boil! Remember to wash your dishes in a basin or bowl instead of under a running tap, or if using a dishwasher wait for a full load and use the eco setting to help save not only water but energy too! Fully load your washing machine and dishwasher and use the eco-setting where possible to save water and energy. Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees reduces your machine's energy consumption by 57%. Use a bucket and sponge to wash the car instead of a hosepipe. A hose wastes 1,000 litres of water an hour. Save water and nourish your plants' roots using a watering can instead. Alternatively, you can fit your hosepipe with a trigger nozzle so it only runs when you need it. Use a water butt! Did you know? Rainwater is better for your plants as there is nitrogen in the rain which helps plants thrive. A small Scottish roof collects over 45,000 litres of water each year, that's more than enough to keep your water butt topped up! Source: Scottish Water "A large proportion of the leaks we now have are small in size and nature, so harder to find and fix, and we are deploying a range of approaches and innovations to hunt them down. "About a quarter of leakage is from pipework within home owners' gardens and under driveways. We will support home owners to resolve these problems when identified.' "In addition to being criticised for its leaks, Scottish Water was ordered in 2023 to carry out an emergency clean-up of tap water supplies after they were found to pose a 'potential danger to human health'."
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Scots urged to be careful with water amid scarcity warning
Driest start to a year in Scotland since 1964 prompts warnings over both water and naked flames Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scots have been urged to be careful with water supplies amid a scarcity across Scotland caused by the driest start to a year since 1964. Scottish Water said it is working to ensure its systems will be able to satisfy demand as the dry weather continues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The latest data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) show all of Scotland is now at some level of water scarcity. Glencorse reservoir in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh this week | Contributed Most of mainland Scotland's east coast has now moved to "moderate scarcity" level, while most of the rest of the country is at "alert" and only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remain at "early warning". With the dry and warm conditions set to continue this weekend, Scots have also been warned to avoid naked flames and barbecues because an "extreme" risk of wildfires across the country until Monday. READ MORE: Celtic fans urged to avoid unofficial title celebration amid fears of disorder Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland has experienced the driest January to April since 1964, with only 59 per cent of the long-term average rainfall over this period. Water usage has increased by 150 million litres per day across Scotland since the middle of April, with average reservoir levels at 81 per cent - 10 per cent lower than average for this time of year. Scottish Water said Scots are using an average of 178 litres of water per person per day, which is higher than in England and Wales where people use an average of 137 litres per person per day. Advice includes shorter showers and turning off taps The supplier said with the current spell of dry and warm weather continuing, people should make an effort to save water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, and using watering cans rather than hoses where appropriate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It also said washing machines and dishwashers should only be used when fully loaded, and buckets and sponges should be favoured over hoses to wash cars. Scottish Water chief executive Alex Plant 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. "Scotland's climate is clearly changing and, as a country, we need to ensure we adapt both by investing appropriately in water infrastructure - which Scottish Water is doing - and ensuring we do what we can to use water more efficiently in our homes and businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Water is always worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden, we can make our country's water go even further and help maintain normal supplies." Places affected by peak water usage include Gullane and Aberlady in East Lothian , Potterton, Middleton Park and Belhelvie in Aberdeenshire , Maybole, Turnberry and Maidens in South Ayrshire , Kippen and Balfron in west Stirlingshire , and Strathpeffer in Ross-shire. Water taken from Spey to supply Moray To help mitigate the consequences of peak water usage, Scottish Water is taking supplies from the Spey, pumping water from the river to its supply in Moray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The water supplier is due to launch its Water is Always Worth Saving campaign next month, with the aim of showing the public they should be conscious of saving water. Claire Tunaley , senior hydrologist in the water resources unit at Sepa, said: "We're seeing the kind of conditions we normally associate with late summer in some places - and it's only May. "Groundwater and river levels across the east are already hitting record lows. In Fife and Aberdeenshire , we're seeing some of the driest conditions in living memory for this time of year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "With parts of Scotland now at 11 months of below average rainfall, it will take above-average rainfall over an extended period to recover to normal levels, especially for groundwater levels. "Our message is clear: if you abstract water from our environment - whether you work in agriculture, energy, industry, distilling, food and drink or the leisure sector - you must take action now to help protect your operations and help safeguard Scotland's rivers and wildlife in the weeks ahead." The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warning for wildfires is in place across the entire country until Monday. They have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and pose a risk to nearby communities. On Thursday, six fire engines were dispatched to a blaze at a plot of land measuring 800 metres in Cumnock, East Ayrshire which they extinguished, with no reported casualties. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fire crews spent five days this week battling a wildfire which broke out in a forest in Bathgate, West Lothian , while six teenage boys were charged after an alleged deliberate fire at Portlethen Moss, near Portlethen, Aberdeenshire , on Saturday. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority said it has seen "unprecedented" numbers of bin fires this year. The fire service warned the "vast majority of wildfires" are started by human behaviour and it has urged the public to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames during the current period of dry weather. A joint additional warning has been issued by Police Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and West Dunbartonshire Council, highlighting the damage caused to "vulnerable ecosystems" including by cigarette butts and campfires, and the speed that wildfires can take hold. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anyone who witnesses a wildfire is urged to dial 999 rather than assuming someone else has already done so. 'Avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues' SFRS wildfire lead, area commander Michael Humphreys , said: "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting. "That's why we're urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time. "It only takes one spark to start a wildfire and things can get out of hand very, very quickly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it's vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times. "Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage. "Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities. "These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Area commander Joe McKay , SFRS local senior officer for East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute , added: "Many people are out enjoying this weather and are visiting our national parks. While we don't want to spoil their fun, we are urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time." Leigh Hamilton , ranger service manager at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority , said: "A carelessly discarded barbecue or cigarette can destroy precious ecosystems, as well as lives and livelihoods.
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Scots urged to be careful with water amid scarcity warning
Driest start to a year in Scotland since 1964 prompts warnings over both water and naked flames Sign up to our Scotsman Rural News - A weekly of the Hay's Way tour of Scotland emailed direct to you. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scots have been urged to be careful with water supplies amid a scarcity across Scotland caused by the driest start to a year since 1964. Scottish Water said it is working to ensure its systems will be able to satisfy demand as the dry weather continues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The latest data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) show all of Scotland is now at some level of water scarcity. Glencorse reservoir in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh this week | Contributed Most of mainland Scotland's east coast has now moved to "moderate scarcity" level, while most of the rest of the country is at "alert" and only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remain at "early warning". With the dry and warm conditions set to continue this weekend, Scots have also been warned to avoid naked flames and barbecues because an "extreme" risk of wildfires across the country until Monday. READ MORE: Celtic fans urged to avoid unofficial title celebration amid fears of disorder Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland has experienced the driest January to April since 1964, with only 59 per cent of the long-term average rainfall over this period. Water usage has increased by 150 million litres per day across Scotland since the middle of April, with average reservoir levels at 81 per cent - 10 per cent lower than average for this time of year. Scottish Water said Scots are using an average of 178 litres of water per person per day, which is higher than in England and Wales where people use an average of 137 litres per person per day. Advice includes shorter showers and turning off taps The supplier said with the current spell of dry and warm weather continuing, people should make an effort to save water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, and using watering cans rather than hoses where appropriate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It also said washing machines and dishwashers should only be used when fully loaded, and buckets and sponges should be favoured over hoses to wash cars. Scottish Water chief executive Alex Plant 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. "Scotland's climate is clearly changing and, as a country, we need to ensure we adapt both by investing appropriately in water infrastructure - which Scottish Water is doing - and ensuring we do what we can to use water more efficiently in our homes and businesses. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Water is always worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden, we can make our country's water go even further and help maintain normal supplies." Places affected by peak water usage include Gullane and Aberlady in East Lothian , Potterton, Middleton Park and Belhelvie in Aberdeenshire , Maybole, Turnberry and Maidens in South Ayrshire , Kippen and Balfron in west Stirlingshire , and Strathpeffer in Ross-shire. Water taken from Spey to supply Moray To help mitigate the consequences of peak water usage, Scottish Water is taking supplies from the Spey, pumping water from the river to its supply in Moray. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The water supplier is due to launch its Water is Always Worth Saving campaign next month, with the aim of showing the public they should be conscious of saving water. Claire Tunaley , senior hydrologist in the water resources unit at Sepa, said: "We're seeing the kind of conditions we normally associate with late summer in some places - and it's only May. "Groundwater and river levels across the east are already hitting record lows. In Fife and Aberdeenshire , we're seeing some of the driest conditions in living memory for this time of year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "With parts of Scotland now at 11 months of below average rainfall, it will take above-average rainfall over an extended period to recover to normal levels, especially for groundwater levels. "Our message is clear: if you abstract water from our environment - whether you work in agriculture, energy, industry, distilling, food and drink or the leisure sector - you must take action now to help protect your operations and help safeguard Scotland's rivers and wildlife in the weeks ahead." The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warning for wildfires is in place across the entire country until Monday. They have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land and wildlife, and pose a risk to nearby communities. On Thursday, six fire engines were dispatched to a blaze at a plot of land measuring 800 metres in Cumnock, East Ayrshire which they extinguished, with no reported casualties. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fire crews spent five days this week battling a wildfire which broke out in a forest in Bathgate, West Lothian , while six teenage boys were charged after an alleged deliberate fire at Portlethen Moss, near Portlethen, Aberdeenshire , on Saturday. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority said it has seen "unprecedented" numbers of bin fires this year. The fire service warned the "vast majority of wildfires" are started by human behaviour and it has urged the public to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames during the current period of dry weather. A joint additional warning has been issued by Police Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and West Dunbartonshire Council, highlighting the damage caused to "vulnerable ecosystems" including by cigarette butts and campfires, and the speed that wildfires can take hold. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anyone who witnesses a wildfire is urged to dial 999 rather than assuming someone else has already done so. 'Avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues' SFRS wildfire lead, area commander Michael Humphreys , said: "Responsible human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting. "That's why we're urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time. "It only takes one spark to start a wildfire and things can get out of hand very, very quickly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Discarded cigarettes and unsupervised campfires pose a significant threat, so it's vital to follow all safety advice when outdoors and to make sure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code at all times. "Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage. "Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities. "These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of air polluting gases into the atmosphere." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Area commander Joe McKay , SFRS local senior officer for East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute , added: "Many people are out enjoying this weather and are visiting our national parks. While we don't want to spoil their fun, we are urging people to absolutely avoid the use of naked flames, including barbecues, at this time." Leigh Hamilton , ranger service manager at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority , said: "A carelessly discarded barbecue or cigarette can destroy precious ecosystems, as well as lives and livelihoods.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why does Scotland use more water than the rest of the UK?
People in Scotland have been told to use water supplies sparingly after the driest start to the year since 1964. But supplier Scottish Water is also warning that the country's relationship with water is unsustainable in the long run. This is because the average person in Scotland uses about 40% more water than the average person in Yorkshire. So why does Scotland use more water than the rest of the UK? Scotland has some of the wettest parts of the UK, so it is perhaps counterintuitive to think about it as a country facing water scarcity. One challenge is the fact that only around 1% of the country's infamous rainfall is captured in reservoirs. Another supply issue is that Scotland gets through so much water compared to the rest of the UK. Figures from regulator Ofwat show that in 2023/24 an average of 140.4 litres of water per person per day was used in England and Wales. Yorkshire Water's rate in this period was 126.9 litres per day, while Northumbrian Water was 154.7 litres per day. By contrast, Scottish Water's consumption rate was an average of 178 litres per day. The way Scots pay for water offers one possible explanation for the bigger consumption rates. About half of households in England and Wales have a water meter, so they only pay for the amount they use, plus a standing charge. Only a small number of Scottish households have water meters. Instead, most pay for water and sewerage services as part of their council tax, with the amount linked to their property's council tax band. This means that for many in Scotland the only time they see how much they pay for water is when they see the annual council tax statement. Research has shown that households with meters use less water as they are more aware of how much their usage is costing them. A fact rolled out on most school trips to Loch Ness is that it contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined. In a country with 30,000 freshwater lochs, water scarcity is not usually high on the agenda. But it is this perception of abundance that troubles Scottish Water's chief executive Alex Plant. Speaking to the BBC podcast ScotCast in February, he said: "We're at a point where we are really worried, collectively as a nation, about the sufficiency of our water supply. "So we should be thinking about water not as plentiful and abundant and you don't need to worry about it, and more as something that is a precious resource. "Part of it is this mindset that we assume it's abundant and therefore we don't worry about it too much." He added: "I think another reason is that almost nobody in Scotland understands how much water they're using because we pay through our council tax (and) we don't understand the amount we're using." Scotland is also facing more frequent spells without rain. Climate change models predict that summers in Scotland will likely become drier, with a potential decrease of 10% to 20% in summer rainfall. An opinion polling by Consumer Scotland suggests most consumers (77%) in Scotland are concerned about climate change. However, only around one in five (19%) are concerned about how much water is used in their home. Creating a better understanding of the link between the impact of climate change and water usage is what Mr Plant wants to address. Although households are the biggest users of water in Scotland, its industrial uses are also a factor in the overall consumption rates. Water - both rainfall and surface water - is critical to the production of the country's most famous export, whisky. This is why distilleries are paying close attention to projections that suggest there will be double the frequency of low river flow events by 2050. Elsewhere, water from rivers and burns is also vital to Scotland's agricultural sector. Soft fruit and vegetable production, mainly based in the south and east of the country, often requires large volumes of water to irrigate crops. This is especially true in dry periods like the current one. Heavy industry like chemical plants are also big consumers of water, with the Grangemouth industrial complex historically one of the biggest daily users of mains water in the UK. Part of Scottish Water's plan to try and get Scotland's consumption rates closer to English rates is to get people thinking about the water they use. The utility firm is embarking on a pilot project in Dundee to install "smart" monitors for around 2,000 homes over a three-year period. It is hoped this will help customers understand their water usage and improve Scottish Water's ability to find and fix leaks. Mr Plant said: "It's a monitor rather than a meter because you're not going to pay for it. "We'd be able to start showing people what they're using, not to charge by the usage, but just to show people what they are using. "Understanding what you're using encourages a different relationship with the thing you're using."
