Why does Scotland use more water than other parts of the UK?
People in Scotland are being asked to use less water because it’s been the driest start to the year since 1964.
Scottish Water says the way people in Scotland use water cannot continue like this for a long time.
This is because, on average, people in Scotland use about 40% more water than people in Yorkshire.
So, why do people in Scotland use more water than other parts of the UK?
Scotland is one of the rainiest places in the UK, so it might seem strange to think it could have problems with not enough water.
One problem is that only about 1% of all the rain is stored in reservoirs.
Another issue is that people in Scotland use a lot more water than those in other parts of the UK.
According to the water regulator Ofwat, in 2023/24 people in England and Wales used an average of 140.4 litres of water per person each day.
In Yorkshire, it was 126.9 litres per day, and in the North East it was 154.7 litres per day.
But in Scotland, the average was 178 litres per person each day.
One reason people in Scotland might use more water is the way they are charged for it.
Water Meters
In England and Wales, about half of households have water meters. This means they only pay for the water they actually use, plus a basic charge.
In Scotland, most homes don’t have meters. Instead, water charges are included in council tax bills and are based on the value of the home.
So, many people in Scotland only see how much they pay for water once a year, and it’s not based on how much water they use.
Studies show that when people have water meters, they tend to use less water because they’re more aware of the cost.
The Idea That Water Is Unlimited
People in Scotland often hear that Loch Ness holds more freshwater than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
With around 30,000 freshwater lochs in the country, most people don’t worry about water running out.
But this idea of having unlimited water is a concern for Scottish Water’s boss, Alex Plant.
He said: “We’re at a point where we are really worried, as a country, about whether we’ll have enough water in the future.”
He also said most people in Scotland don’t really know how much water they use because the cost is hidden in their council tax.
Scotland is having more dry weather than before.
Climate change experts believe that summers in Scotland will likely become drier, with 10% to 20% less rain than usual.
A survey by Consumer Scotland found that most people (77%) in Scotland worry about climate change.
But only about one in five people (19%) worry about how much water they use at home.
Mr. Plant wants to help people better understand how climate change and water use are connected.
The water of life
Households use the most water in Scotland, but businesses also use a lot.
Rain and river water are very important for making whisky, which is Scotland’s most famous export.
Distilleries are watching closely because predictions show that low river levels may happen twice as often by 2050.
Water from rivers and streams is also important for farming in Scotland.
Soft fruits and vegetables, especially in the south and east, need a lot of water to grow—especially during dry times like now.
Big factories, like chemical plants, also use a lot of water. The Grangemouth industrial area has been one of the biggest water users in the UK.
Could smart water monitors help?
Scottish Water wants people to think more about how much water they use. They hope this will help lower water use in Scotland to match levels in England.
They’re starting a test project in Dundee. About 2,000 homes will get “smart” water monitors over three years.
The goal is to help people understand how much water they use and to help Scottish Water find and fix leaks.
Mr. Plant said: “It’s a monitor, not a meter—you won’t have to pay for the water.”
He explained that the monitors will show people how much water they’re using—not for charging, just to help them understand.
“When you know how much you use, you start thinking differently about it,” he said.
Published: 17th May 2025
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