Two Million Thank You’s as New Taps Quench Thirst for Water Refills

Scottish Water today said two million thank you’s to customers across the country after it was confirmed that Scotland’s growing network of public water Top Up Taps has now saved the equivalent of more than two million single-use plastic bottles as a result of people quenching their thirst by refilling.

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, and the number of equivalent bottles saved has doubled from one million in October 2021.

The publicly-owned company thanked everyone and encouraged people to keep up the good work, by giving away branded Scottish Water bottles in the centre of a sunny Edinburgh during Festival time at one of the busiest Top Up Taps, in the Royal Mile.

“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. ”

Douglas Millican
Chief Executive

The taps provide free public mains supply water – and digitally log how much water is used as people fill up at the touch of a button.

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.

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

Douglas Millican, Scottish Water Chief Executive, 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.”