Protect our water, public urged
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Scottish Government Viewpoint
Scottish Water has launched a major new communications campaign to highlight that we all have a part to play in sustaining our precious natural resource – water.
The new multi-channel campaign, ‘Piped by Us, Owned by You’, aims to build greater awareness that Scottish Water belongs to the people of Scotland and encourages everyone to treat it as their own, to be appreciated and used wisely.
Research has found that only around 55 per cent of people in Scotland know that Scottish Water is publicly owned. On average, people in Scotland use approximately 180 litres of water per day. Many may think that water as plentiful in Scotland, but in fact the picture varies for different areas – in England where homes are often metered, people use approximately 125 litres a day.
Clare Smith, head of campaigns and marketing at Scottish Water, said: “This new campaign encourages everyone to appreciate and value our fresh tap water. You’d be forgiven for thinking water is plentiful in Scotland, but the reality is that it rain falls disproportionately across the country and not always where most people live.
“Climate change is affecting Scottish Water’s network; a lot goes on behind the scenes to keep water flowing from hilltop to tap irrespective of where you live or how dry or stormy the weather has been.
“We know that when people feel a sense of ownership in the product and essential services we provide, they are more likely to use it wisely and look after the environment we all strive to protect.
“And we want everyone to feel a sense of ownership and take pride in this vital asset that is Scotland’s water.”
Scottish Water uses some of its own employees in the advert, weaving together images of where our water comes from and how it gets to our taps.
Senior project manager for Scottish Water, Anna Bijlsma, said: “Being involved in this marketing project was very different to my day job. I am from Poland originally, but I find it very easy to be passionate about Scotland’s water – it truly is world class and deserves more recognition in the role it plays in people’s lives.
“Climate change brings new challenges, but if we all pull together, we can reduce the impact and make a difference. Simple things like reducing water consumption or being mindful of what you flush down loos and slop down sinks all helps to reduce our collective carbon footprint.”
Senior civil engineer Jagdip Summon, who also appeared in the advert, said: “As we are publicly owned, every penny we make is invested – currently more than £800 million a year in infrastructure – to keep our water flowing now and for future generations.
“We manage 229 water treatment works and use more than 30,500 miles of pipes to deliver fresh, clean clear water so everyone can live their lives their way. We only ask that it is used wisely and appreciate ever drop.”
On average, people in Scotland use approximately 180 litres of water per day. Many may think that water as plentiful in Scotland, but in fact the picture varies for different regions. Only one per cent of the rain that falls across Scotland is captured by Scottish Water reservoirs, meaning there is increased strain on replenishing the supply in drier areas.
The summer of 2023 – which had a prolonged spell of dry, hot weather – saw Scotland’s average reservoir levels drop to just 72 per cent capacity, 14 per cent below average for that time of year.
Coupled with more frequent, intense storms and rainfall, climate change brings new challenges to Scottish Water’s pipe network.
Scottish Water hopes its ‘Piped by Us, Owned by You’ campaign will help to demonstrate the work that goes into delivering 1.5 billion litres of cool, fresh, clear drinking water every day. There are lots of quick and easy things you can do to waste less water. See some of our top tips here www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/save
