Orkney's Water Set to Hydrate Island Games

“By carrying a refillable water bottle and topping up from the tap, everyone attending the Games can enjoy Orkney’s water and help to reduce the burden of plastic waste on our environment.”

Kirsty Talbot
Director for Orkney 2025

Athletes, volunteers and spectators are being encouraged to stay hydrated using Orkney’s world class drinking water during the Island Games, after organisers joined forces with Scottish Water to help reduce the event’s need for single use plastic bottles.

From 12-18 July, Orkney is preparing to welcome over 2,000 competitors and officials from 24 island groups across the world for what will be the largest event ever hosted in the isles. The occasion marks the twentieth edition of the International Island Games, featuring competition across 12 keenly contested sports. 

To support the Games, Scottish Water is supplementing its permanent Top up Tap at Broad Street, near St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, with additional temporary taps at the Pickaquoy Centre in Kirkwall, Stromness Academy, Orkney Golf Club and Kirkwall Sailing Club. The publicly-owned water company is also working with organisers to highlight the indoor water refill points that are available at many more venues and locations.

Athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators are being urged to bring a refillable bottle so that they can top up from the tap with clear, fresh and great-tasting island water.

Kirsty Talbot, Director for Orkney 2025 said:

“Across all of our preparations, we have been working to make the Games as environmentally friendly as possible and to celebrate the best of Orkney.

“After returning from the previous Games in Guernsey, we wanted to see if we could make use of Orkney’s excellent drinking water and reduce the need for large quantities of single use plastic bottles. We approached Scottish Water’s local team, who keep our water flowing year-round, and they were keen to help.

“Island communities know that drinking water is a precious resource, which we all need to take care of. By carrying a refillable water bottle and topping up from the tap, everyone attending the Games can enjoy Orkney’s water and help to reduce the burden of plastic waste on our environment.” 

Scottish Water’s Head of Campaigns and Marketing Clare Smith said:

“We are very proud to be working with our partners and the wider community in Orkney to support the Island Games.

“The waiting is nearly over and visiting athletes, coaches and supporters will soon be on their way. There is no doubting the warmth of the welcome and the excitement that awaits them in Orkney. Our taps will be ready to play their part: just bring a refillable bottle so you can stay healthy and hydrated for free – whether you’re competing, volunteering or supporting your team.

“Island communities naturally have a closer relationship with their environment than most – and especially with their water. Across Scotland, we need to have a conversation about the way we all value our water - and take care of it so that future generations will be able to enjoy it as we do. We are delighted that Orkney’s Island Games is leading the way.”