Scottish Water is asking customers to use water wisely during daily activities, such as taking showers in a bid to maintain supplies as the heatwave continues. 

Following a sustained dry period without any significant rainfall, customer usage has increased significantly.

With the current weather conditions forecast to continue, Scottish Water is encouraging people to take simple but important steps to conserve our public water supplies.

In some areas there has been a 30% increase in demand for water during the summer so far and an additional 140 million litres are currently being produced and pushed through the system every day to meet current customer usage. 

Average reservoir levels are generally normal for this time of year but the current level of usage and continuing dry weather means stocks of stored water available for use are reducing.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Water usage levels during the current hot summer weather, particularly during peak times such as morning and early evening, mean we are working around the clock to get water around the system quickly enough.

“We have a strong and resilient distribution network to keep our customers supplied but we’re asking everyone to play their part in helping us as Scotland enjoys its hottest and driest summer in many years.

“By encouraging simple but important changes to how people use water over the coming days and weeks of dry, warm weather, this will make a big difference to the flow of water around the network and protect supplies.”

The water chiefs are advising customers to consider the following when using water:

• Take shorter showers

• Use a watering can rather than a hose to water plants

• Use a bucket rather than a hose to wash vehicles; only wash windscreens/lights instead of the whole vehicle

• Turn off taps in the home whenever possible

• Use washing machines and dishwashers fully loaded

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scottish Water is managing current levels of water usage closely, and I encourage people everywhere, whether using water at home, or in their business, to work with Scottish Water and follow their helpful advice and suggestions to use water wisely. This will allow the network to operate as normal, supporting all our water needs everywhere.”