Scottish Water calls on customers to use water efficiently as we head into summer

The publicly-owned utility is reminding customers that water is a precious resource which is always worth saving and urging them to make small changes to save water.

For Water Saving Week organised by Waterwise from May 4 to 8, Scottish Water highlighted that people might think there is plenty of water to go around but the country can suffer from water shortages and, although rainwater can replenish rivers, lochs and reservoirs quickly, when there is an extended period of dry weather water levels can fall rapidly.

Brian McCarthy, Scottish Water’s Water Resource and Demand Manager, said: “In May 2025 we had to call on customers to use less water to help protect resources and maintain normal supplies across the country following the driest start to the year across Scotland since 1964.

“Reservoir levels across the country are currently above average levels at about 97% full, which is obviously good. But if there is another extended period of dry weather at any time, those levels will fall substantially. And, as people are starting to think about their gardens, lawns and plants, we are urging them to consider how they can use water more efficiently in their gardens and in and around the home in general.

“If we all do a little bit to help now it can make a big difference in helping maintain normal water supplies for everyone if there any challenges ahead due to dry weather and its impact on reservoir levels this summer.”

Scottish Water is calling on customers to follow its important advice on water consumption by doing the following:

• Taking shorter showers.
• Only using a full load in the washing machine.
• Installing a water butt in your garden. A small household roof collects over 45,000 litres of water each year and a large roof can collect over 90,000 litres per year, which is plenty to help your garden grow when the weather is dry.
• Using a watering can in the garden rather than a hose where possible – a hose uses1,000 litres of water an hour.
• Sponge washing your car. A hosepipe can use enough water in 30 minutes to fill five bathtubs.
• Only boiling the water you need. Only boil what you need for your cup of tea or coffee.
• Turning the tap off when brushing teeth. Cleaning our teeth with the tap running wastes 5 litres of water a minute.
• Fixing dripping taps. 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.
• Using dishwashers only when full.

Mr McCarthy added: “On average, each person in Scotland uses about 180 litres of water every day. Around half of that is hot water so there is an opportunity to use less energy and water at the same time.

“About one fifth of the average household’s heating bills are spent on heating water, so saving water not only helps protect water resources and the planet, it can also help keep your energy bills down which is important given the current cost of living challenges.”