Water refill points are set to be installed in Inverclyde

Bosses at Scottish Water have announced plans to install 'top up taps' in every local authority area around Scotland over the next two years.

Under the initiative, councils are being consulted to identify the best locations with the aim of having the first 10 Top Up Taps installed by the end of March 2019.

Douglas Millican, the chief executive of Scottish Water said: “The creation of a new network of public top up taps across the country as part of our Your Water, Your Life campaign, is a significant boost in encouraging more people to choose to drink tap water in their daily lives.

“Our research shows that people feel very positively towards the quality of Scotland’s tap water – now these state-of-the-art taps can provide access to enable water drinkers to enjoy it while on the go by carrying and using refillable bottles.”

A national drive to encourage people to stay hydrated by drinking water from the tap in refillable bottles was set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2018-2019.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am delighted that our Programme for Government commitment to pilot the creation of a network of public water refill points is coming to fruition so quickly.

“By encouraging people to top up from the tap using refillable bottles, we will help cut down on our use of plastics and promote the benefits of hydration building on Scottish Water’s Your Water, Your Life campaign. I now look forward to refilling my bottle at the Top up Tap outside the parliament in the coming months.”

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.

For further information go to yourwateryourlife.co.uk