Scottish Water celebrates two million water refills

Festival-goers top up at the tap in Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Scottish Water has confirmed that Scotland’s growing network of Top-Up Taps - serving water on the go - has saved the equivalent of more than two million single-use plastic bottles.

In a major boost to the country’s efforts to reduce single use plastic, members of the public have tapped into Scotland’s water supply when out and about to help the planet, stay hydrated and save money. The number of equivalent bottles saved has doubled from one million in October 2021.

The utility used the Edinburgh Festival, the city's busiest period, to give away branded water bottles at one of the busiest Top Up Taps, in the Royal Mile. The taps provide free public mains water and digitally log how much water is used as people fill up at the touch of a button.

“The connection between communities and their taps – and the recognition of doing something positive for themselves and the environment - has been amazing."

Scott McColm, Scottish Water

A number of pop-up taps that Scottish Water provided at various summer events saw consumption of the equivalent of more than 48,000 plastic bottles of water. The tap roll-out is part of the Your Water Your Life campaign which celebrates the qualities of Scotland’s water and encourages people to think about protecting the environment and their own health at the same time.

An entertainer fills up their water bottle during the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe events.

Single use plastic continues to blight our seas and beauty spots and refillable water bottles are good for you, the planet and your pocket, says the utility.

Scottish Water boss Douglas Millican, said: “As Scotland returns to school and work, we are calling on people to remember to take a refillable bottle with them. Hydration aids concentration and general health and performance.

“With 75 distinctive blue Top Up Taps around the country, you can top up when out and about and we should all drink plenty of water, especially if being active.

“It’s great that so many people have used the taps, saving the equivalent of more than two million single-use plastic bottles. We thank everyone who fills up from a public water tap with a refillable bottle and hope more do likewise in the future.”

Scott McColm, who leads the Scottish Water team behind the taps, said: “The connection between communities and their taps – and the recognition of doing something positive for themselves and the environment - has been amazing. Scotland should be very proud to have achieved this new sustainability milestone of two million bottles.”