Water is always worth saving
HELP PROTECT A PRECIOUS RESOURCE.
Take 2 minutes off your shower and save around £50 a year on your energy bill. *
100326 WIAWS Backwater Reservoir
Why We’re Asking You to Save Water - even now
Scotland is facing one of its driest years in decades. Reservoirs are currently about 6% below average for this time of year (October), and in the East, levels are a worrying 27% lower than normal. Some areas are officially in drought, and demand for water is still higher than last year.
Person splashing face in front of a reservoir
WATER - NATURALLY WORTH SAVING
Our climate is changing. In the future, we can expect to see more variable and extreme weather patterns than in the past. There is only so much water we can abstract and store from our water sources. So it’s important that we manage our water carefully all year. The link between energy, net zero and water is often overlooked. However, by reducing water abstraction, we will reduce carbon emissions. It takes energy to purify water and pump it across Scotland’s 33,300 miles of pipes. That’s why saving water is always a good idea.
Help us help you. Help protect this precious resource. There’s loads of things we can all do to save water all year round, which is good for the planet and your pocket.
*Source: Energy Saving Trust July 2025
100326 Isle of skye old man of storr
Don't Let Skye Go Dry
You might think there is plenty of water to go around, but even on Skye we can be short of water. We know it’s easy to take water for granted. Our taps bring it in, and loos flush it out. But water is a precious resource.
Broken and leaking pipes can cause rising water. Help us to help you by reporting any rising water you see. Leaking pipes waste water, if we know, we can fix it to stop water waste and property damage.
100326 WIAWS Woman watering plants in garden
Create Rainproof Communities
Scottish Water is harnessing nature to help reduce flooding in communities during extreme rainfall caused by climate change.
It is investing in solutions using the natural environment – often called ‘blue green’ infrastructure – on a range of pilot projects across Scotland.
The projects combine natural features such as ponds, wetlands, swales, green roofs, raingardens, restored river channels, trees and property-level planters and water butts with engineered solutions like pipes and drains.
By mimicking the way water flows in nature, this new strategy can reduce the amount of rainwater that enters the sewer system to help reduce overflows and flooding. It can also improve the environment in our watercourses, while enhancing biodiversity for wildlife and making better places for communities to live.
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS
Take just 2 minutes off your shower and take at least £50 off your energy bill. You’ll also save 21,500 litres of water a year. So by only using what we need you can save money, as well as the planet.
ONE FLUSH MAKES A DIFFERENCE
ONE FLUSH MAKES A DIFFERENCE
A family of four could flush the loo over 10,000 times each year. That’s about 60,000 litres of clear, fresh water down the drain. Enough to fill 830 baths! Maybe you needn’t flush every time.
ONLY USE A FULL LOAD
ONLY USE A FULL LOAD
Just by putting a full load in your washing machine washing at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees can save on water and on energy consumption by 57%. It all adds up. Better still, check out your washing machine’s instruction manual – different settings could save gallons of water and money off your energy bill.
INSTALL A WATER BUTT
INSTALL A WATER BUTT
Could you fit a water butt in your garden? A small Scottish roof collects over 45,000 litres of water each year and a large roof can collect over 90,000 litres per year. Plenty to help your garden grow when the weather is dry.
USE A WATERING CAN
USE A WATERING CAN
Watering the garden? A hose wastes 1,000 litres of water an hour. Save water and nourish your plants’ roots use a watering can instead. Better still – use the water from your water butt. Plants prefer rain water so its a win-win!
SPONGE WASH YOUR CAR
SPONGE WASH YOUR CAR
Did you know? A hosepipe can use enough water in 30 minutes to fill five bathtubs. Use a sponge and bucket to wash the car to help save water.
ONLY BOIL WHAT YOU NEED
ONLY BOIL WHAT YOU NEED
How many times do you boil the kettle and walk away, get distracted and have to boil it again 15 minutes later? Argh! What a waste of energy! Only boil what you need for your cuppa. You will save water, energy and time!
TURN THE TAP OFF WHEN BRUSHING
TURN THE TAP OFF WHEN BRUSHING
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.
FIX DRIPPING TAPS
FIX DRIPPING TAPS
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.
FIX LEAKY LOOS
FIX LEAKY LOOS
A leaking toilet can waste between 215 and 400 litres of water every day. About 4% of British loos are leaking, and it is most common with dual flush toilets.
Take our leaky loo test at:
USE ECO SETTINGS
USE ECO SETTINGS
A standard dishwasher uses around 9.5 litres of water per wash, while hand washing generally uses up to 60 litres. When using your dishwasher, wait for a full load and use the eco setting to save energy and water. If you have to wash your dishes by hand, please don’t run them under the tap. Save water by using a basin or bowl instead.
GET WATER FIT
GET WATER FIT
How much water do you use? The average person in Scotland uses around 180 litres of water every day.
Find out how much your household uses at:
160326 tobermory harbour
How Tourism businesses and tourists can be water-savvy travellers
Scotland is a welcoming place, all year round. With May-October offering kinder weather, some rural places see a big spike in visitors to look after in summer. Here’s some hints and tips for you business to help save water in dry spells.