Tapping into great idea for water refill points

Water samples are tested every two minutes, on average, to maintain quality and ensure customers enjoy their supply of Scottish drinking water.

Licensed premises are legally bound to serve tap water on request, yet research shows Scots are uncomfortable asking, something this campaign hopes to change.

Customer research carried out for Scottish Water revealed tap is the water of choice for almost two thirds of people in Scotland (65 per cent), and currently over a third (36 per cent) carry reusable bottles always or often when they are out and about. But less than a third (30 per cent) said they’d be happy to go into a café and ask for their bottle to be filled.

On average a litre bottle of water costs about 65p, so topping up daily from the tap could save £1.30 a day, nearly £500 a year.

The top-up taps are made from marine-grade steel and are connected to the mains water supply, with the first installation in Edinburgh expected to be completed by the end of October. Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “We’re delighted to be the first location for Scottish Water’s top-up taps which will soon be helping people across the country fill up on tap water with reusable bottles.

“As a council we are 100 per cent committed to reducing the amount of plastic thrown away and this new scheme is a real step in the right direction.”

I now look forward to refilling my bottle at the top-up tap outside the parliament