Customers in Fife urged to conserve water after ‘very dry summer’

Scottish Water is asking households and businesses to help conserve water supplies in Fife, particularly in the Lomond Hills area. The move is because of the unusually prolonged spell of dry weather and low rainfall, which has left reservoirs and other raw water sources currently lower than normal water levels.


John Rae, water operations general manager at Scottish Water, said: “Our reservoirs in the Lomond Hills currently have lower than normal water levels. There has of course been some rainfall in recent weeks, but that has to be seen in the context of following a very dry summer.

“Scottish Water has spent time over the years making sure that we can manage Scotland’s water resources to maintain supplies to customers when there are localised periods of dry weather.”

Rae said Scottish Water, in collaboration with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have measures to continue providing supplies of high-quality drinking water to homes and businesses. “In the short-term we are able to move water through pipes from other supply sources and back-up sources to boost our network in the parts of Fife served by the Lomond Hills.

“We always encourage customers to save water where they can. Turning the tap off when brushing teeth, for example, is a very easy way of saving water. We all have a role to play in using water wisely.”

In the coming months Scottish Water will carry out maintenance at Ballo reservoir, one of four supply sources in the Lomond Hills, and will keep it at a low level to enable this to take place.

Scottish Water added that while Scotland has enjoyed some dry weather this summer, water levels in other supply sources such as reservoirs and rivers are around what would be expected for the time of year.

Maureen Gaines
Maureen Gaines is the editor of sister site WWTonline.co.uk and leading water industry magazine WET News

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe