Borderers urged not to waste water as reservoir levels remain low

Despite this week’s rain, reservoir levels remain low following record levels of water usage by domestic customers in their homes and gardens.

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 this 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, Scottish Water says it provided an additional 450 million litres to meet customers’ needs.

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.

While there was some rainfall this week, a continuation of drier and warmer weather is expected throughout the rest of June.

Kes Juskowiak, national water operations manager, said: “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.”

Tips for using water efficiently around the home and garden 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