Experts meet to ensure a sustainable future for Scotland’s water supply
Posted: Wednesday 18th March 2009
The Saving Water in Scotland Network has met at Herriot Watt University in Edinburgh today (Friday) to discuss strategies to encourage sustainable use of Scotland’s water supply – and how to use water more wisely to tackle, and adapt to, climate change. The Network, composed of NGOs, politicians and other interested bodies, was meeting for its fourth annual roundtable meeting focussing particularly on the environmental impact of water usage in the home and on delivering water savings with social housing providers.
Jacob Tompkins, Managing Director of Waterwise, said “Every day, the average person in Scotland consumes a staggering 147 litres of water with around a third of that being wasted. This consumption is not sustainable, and we believe that we can all save 1/3 of the water we waste just by making simple behaviour changes.”
Heather Brash, Convener of Waterwatch Scotland, stated “Many people have assumed that there is no need to be water efficient in Scotland or that there is no public appetite for water efficiency. There is every reason to be water efficient in Scotland and we are particularly pleased that our initial engagement shows that there is a growing public willingness to commit more fully to using Scotland’s water more responsibly.
An amazing 25% of your household energy bill comes from heating water for use in your shower, bath, washing machine and dishwasher. By cutting one minute off your shower time, swapping a deep bath for a short shower and always using full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher, investing in a water efficient shower head and washing up in a washing up bowl rather than under a running tap you really can save water, save energy and money.
Today’s meeting was chaired by Scottish Labour environment, rural affairs and climate change spokesperson Sarah Boyack MSP. Ms Boyack said: “Meetings of the Saving Water in Scotland Network continue to act as a valuable exercise in focusing the actions of those involved in water conservation. By sharing information on a regular basis all the groups involved are making a real contribution to the debate.
“Our water supply is a precious natural resource and it is vitally important that we use it in a sustainable way. The key to this is not simply to restrict use but to minimise the level of wastage that is occurring.
“The effects of global warming will place pressure on water supplies as warmer summers lead to increased consumption and wetter winters lead to water quality issues. Intense periods of rainfall will be followed by longer dry spells testing the capacity of our reservoirs to the limit.
“The key message that has come out of today’s meeting is that saving water will save money. Making small changes to the way we use water and investing in water saving appliances will make a real difference to energy bills in these challenging economic times.”
