Drip Feed: Bugs Beasties & Bad Behaviour
Bugs, Beasties & Bad Behaviour
Host Mariella talks all things reservoirs with reservoir rangers Josh and Helen. Latest episode out now wherever you get your podcasts.
Drip Feed – Bugs, Beasties & Bad Behaviour
They’re scenic, peaceful, full of wildlife — and they’re where much of our drinking water begins its journey to the tap.
In the latest episode of Drip Feed – water talk straight from the source, host Mariella is joined by two of Scottish Water’s Reservoir Rangers, Helen and Josh, to talk all things reservoirs: what they are, why they matter, and how our behaviour — good and bad — can make a real difference.
The tone is light‑hearted.
The message matters.
And no — they’re not the fun police.
👉 Listen now: Drip Feed – Bugs, Beasties & Bad Behaviour
Reservoirs: not just “a big puddle”
It’s easy to think of a reservoir as just a nice body of water for a walk on a sunny day. But reservoirs are carefully managed catchments that help supply clean, safe drinking water to communities across Scotland — many of them built back in Victorian times.
When Rangers talk to school groups about where water comes from, the answers can be surprising.
“The tap” is common.
“The sea” comes up more than you’d think.
Helping people understand where their water really comes from is a big part of helping them look after it.
👉 Learn how Scotland's drinking water is sourced and protected
Bugs, beasties and hidden habitats
Reservoirs are also important wildlife spaces — home to a wide range of species, some of them protected.
Helen and Josh talk about:
- Swallows and house martins returning to the same nests year after year
- Internationally significant populations of pink‑footed geese
- The small, often overlooked creatures living in dead wood and log piles
Dead wood might not look important, but it’s vital habitat for insects, fungi and small mammals. Removing or burning it doesn’t just tidy a site — it removes someone’s home.
Understanding this hidden world helps visitors see reservoirs differently.
Bad behaviour Rangers deal with most
Most people visit reservoirs to enjoy them responsibly — walking, birdwatching, swimming, camping or just getting some fresh air.
But busy weekends also bring a small number of behaviours that can damage sites and affect water quality.
Rangers most often deal with:
- Littering, including abandoned campsites
- Disposable barbecues and campfires, especially under trees
- Cutting live trees
- Dog fouling, particularly close to the water
- Dogs off leads during nesting and lambing season
These issues are rarely intentional. More often, people don’t realise the impact their choices can have.
Fires, barbecues and planning ahead
Fires may seem harmless, but even small ones can cause lasting damage. Heat can travel underground, ignite roots and reappear metres away — sometimes long after people have left.
That’s why Rangers encourage visitors to:
- Plan ahead
- Keep fires small and controlled if they must have one
- Avoid using disposable barbecues
- Use gas stoves where possible
- Never cut live trees or remove dead wood
Enjoying reservoirs and looking after them are not opposites — they go hand in hand.
👉 Find guidance on visiting reservoirs responsibly
Dogs, poo bags and the 30‑metre rule
Helen and Josh explain why dog waste and dogs off leads can affect:
- Water quality
- Wildlife and nesting birds
- Livestock and other visitors
They encourage visitors to:
- Keep dogs under close control or on a lead
- Keep waste at least 30 metres away from the water
- Always bag it and take it home — never leave bags behind
These are simple actions that protect both people and the environment.
👉 Know your rights — and responsibilities — outdoors
Leave no trace — or even better, a positive one
- Picking up a bit of litter that isn’t yours.
- Joining a volunteer clean‑up.
- Taking part in Ranger‑led walks or citizen science events.
Small actions, taken by many people, help keep reservoirs welcoming, safe and healthy.
Drinking water on the go
If you’re heading out for a walk, picnic or day by the water, there’s a simple way to avoid single‑use plastic and make sure you’re drinking safe, high‑quality water.
Scottish Water’s Top Up Taps provide free drinking water across Scotland — ideal for refilling bottles before or after your visit.
👉 Find your nearest Top Up Tap
- Reservoirs are vital sources of drinking water
- Wildlife relies on habitats that aren’t always obvious
- Planning ahead prevents damage
- Take everything you bring with you back home
- Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Leave no trace — or better still, leave a positive one
🎧 Listen to Drip Feed – Bugs, Beasties & Bad Behaviour
Water talk, real stories and conversations from across Scotland
