Utility urges customers to use water efficiently after consumption increases to record levels
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Record levels of water usage by domestic customers in their homes and gardens have prompted Scottish Water to remind people to use water efficiently to help the utility keep supplies flowing.
Scottish Water figures show that in May domestic consumption of water in and around people’s houses increased for a second month to a record 203 litres per person per day.
Normally, consumption is 165 litres per person per day and in April that increased to 198 litres per person per day.
With more warm, dry weather in recent weeks, the average consumption rate increased by another five litres per person per day, with many people watering garden plants in addition to their kitchen and bathroom use.
"Over one weekend, we provided an additional 450 million litres to meet customers’ needs," said Kes Juskowiak, national water operations manager.
Many parts of Scotland have also had spells of wet weather in recent weeks, helping to recover some storage levels in the north of the country but it continues to be drier in the south.
Despite some rainfall this week, there will be a continuation of drier and warmer weather through the rest of June.
The national water operations manager explained: “Our latest reservoir storage levels, despite some rain, show a reduction from 78% to 76%.
“We continue to monitor and manage resources as normal and we will take action to supplement supplies if necessary. But, as always, we would ask everyone to use water efficiently in all weathers at all times of year.”
There are many simple steps to using water efficiently around the home and garden.
These include:
· Using a watering can not a hose or sprinklers to water plants
· Using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash vehicles
· Using washing machines and dishwashers fully loaded
· Taking shorter showers
There are many benefits from using water efficiently, including reducing energy bills and our carbon emissions and so improving the environment.
To help customers use water efficiently, advice is available on Scottish Water's website: www.scottishwater.co.uk/savewater
The customer helpline is on 0800 0778778.
"It is essential that people continue to follow Government advice regarding hand-washing during the Covid-19 pandemic," SW are stressing.
