Customers in Tayside urged to save water

Scottish Water is calling on customers in the Dundee and Tayside area to continue to save water in homes and gardens – despite recent rain across Scotland.

The publicly owned utility is asking people to use less water to help protect water resources and maintain normal supplies after new figures showed that levels at the Loch of Lintrathen and Backwater reservoir, which serve about 300,000 people, are still well below average. The areas served by this reservoir system include; Dundee, parts of Angus and parts of Perth and Kinross.

This makes the system a critical water source for both urban and rural communities in eastern Scotland.

Recent statistics show that reservoirs in the east are approximately 55% full which compared to an 82% average at this time of the year is concerning.

If these trends continue, Scottish Water is concerned that the winter and spring refill will not replenish levels enough, leading to greater water supply challenges next year.

Scottish Water has a drought incident team in place to maintain water supplies, should we have a further dry winter. Tactics range from moving water between systems, taking water from additional sources such as the river Isla or groundwater from boreholes, continued leakage reduction, raw water leakage investigations and agreeing a reduction in compensation flows with SEPA. Additionally, Scottish Water has an extensive community engagement plan, asking customers to play a part.

“Despite some recent rainfall, the current challenge dates back to last winter which didn't provide the recovery to our reservoir levels we had hoped.”

John Griffen
Water Operations General Manager

John Griffen, Scottish Water’s water operations general manager, said: “Despite some recent rainfall, the current challenge dates back to last winter which didn’t provide the recovery to our reservoir levels we had hoped.

“We’re working hard to maintain normal supplies for all customers, however if we have another relatively dry winter and spring, we could face more serious supply challenges next summer. We need everyone to do their bit.

“We’re asking our customers to use water as efficiently as possible to help us protect what is – even in Scotland - a precious natural resource.”

The business is asking customers in Tayside to help protect normal supplies at all times by: 

• Checking for and repairing any leaking toilets and taps in homes or businesses
• Using water efficiently in the garden and outdoor spaces by using a watering can avoiding using sprinklers and hoses
• Taking shorter showers – save on energy bills too
• Turning the tap off when brushing teeth
• Using washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
• Using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash the car.

Individually, customers 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.

Scottish Water posts facts, tips and activities on social media to raise awareness about saving water and more information is available at www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/save.

Information on our Climate Adaptation Plan, which has statistics and a map on water scarcity projections, is available here: 290224ScottishWaterAdaptationPlan.pdf