Dried up homes get water aid from council

Perth and Kinross Council has set up an emergency scheme to provide water for properties with private water supplies if they run dry.

The council will provide those in need with bottles of water, courtesy of Scottish Water, with seven properties in the region benefiting from the scheme.

This comes as temperatures in Perth and Kinross have reached up to 31 degrees celsius in what has been one of the hottest Scottish summers in decades.

A council spokesperson said: “Due to the prolonged dry weather this year, the Scottish Government has introduced an emergency assistance scheme for people served by private water supplies, where water supplies have dried up.

“The scheme enables Scottish Water, in conjunction with local authorities, to assist where they are able, with the provision of water for domestic purposes, on a priority basis, based on the numbers and vulnerabilities of the people affected.

“Assistance is generally the provision of bottled water.

“This does not happen every year as responsibility for private water supplies generally rests with the owner of the supply.

“We are currently in the process of assisting seven properties with provision of water within Perth and Kinross.”

Public mains are run by Scottish Water where as private water supplies typically come from a borehole, spring, well, burn or loch.

Despite this Scottish Water have teamed up with the council to compensate for low water levels and have suggested methods to reduce the risk of running out.

A company spokesperson said: “Following the announcement of funding support by the cabinet secretary for finance and economy last week, Scottish Water is working with local authorities across Scotland to assist them where private water supplies are running low.

“We are providing water to councils where required, who are coordinating the assistance that is needed within their own areas. To date, we have supplied around 160 pallets of bottled water across the country.

“Our teams continue to work all over Scotland to keep the water cycle flowing following the prolonged period of warm, dry weather.

“We are asking customers to assist us by continuing to use water wisely, for example by using a watering can instead of a hose in the garden, and using washing machines and dishwashers fully loaded.

“Taking these simple steps can really make a significant difference and help supplies to recover when rain occurs.”