Drip Feed: Scotland's Wet. Why Save Water?

In this Drip Feed episode, Clare is joined by Scottish Water’s Brian McCarthy and climate activist ‘Less Waste Laura’ to bust the myth that rainy Scotland doesn’t need to save water, with simple tips from leaky loos to letting it mellow.

Scotland's Wet. Why Save Water? | Drip Feed | Scottish Water 

Scotland is known for many things. 

Lochs. Rivers. Reservoirs. Rain that appears just when you thought it might stay dry. 

So when we talk about saving water, it is understandable that some people ask a very simple question: 

Why? 

In the latest episode of Drip Feed – water talk straight from the source – host Clare is joined by Brian McCarthy, Scottish Water’s Water Resource &

Demand Manager, and award-winning climate activist Laura Anderson, also known as Less Waste Laura, to tackle one of the biggest myths around water use in Scotland. 

The conversation is light-hearted. The facts are surprising. 

And yes — it includes a frank discussion about whether we should all be “yellow mellowers”. 

👉 Listen now: Drip Feed – Scotland’s Wet. Why Save Water? 

Scotland has plenty of water. Doesn’t it? 

It is easy to assume Scotland has water to spare. We have rivers, lochs, reservoirs and plenty of rainy days, so saving water might not feel like an obvious priority. 

But the episode explains why the picture is more complicated. Water has to be available in the right place, at the right time, and in a form that can be collected, treated and delivered safely to homes and businesses. 

Our Saving Water in Scotland advice explains that less than 1% of rainfall ends up somewhere Scottish Water has access to. During prolonged dry spells, water levels can drop quickly, while demand can rise at the same time. 

👉 Find out why saving water matters in Scotland: Saving Water in Scotland 

The 180 litres we don’t always see 

One of the most surprising figures in the episode is how much water we each use every day — around 180 litres per person. 

That might sound high, but most of it is hidden in everyday routines. It is not just the water we drink. It is the shower before work, the toilet flush, the washing machine, the dishwasher, the garden, the kettle, the dishes and the small habits we barely notice. 

Laura explains that people often think about water in terms of glasses, cups of tea or cooking. Brian’s point is that the bigger picture only becomes clear when we add up everything else happening around the home. 

👉 Explore the wider campaign: Water is Always Worth Saving 

Leaky loos and little changes 

A big part of the conversation focuses on something many of us do not think about until someone points it out — a leaking toilet. 

Our water saving advice explains that a leaking toilet can waste between 215 and 400 litres of water every day. Because the water often runs quietly into the loo bowl, it can be easy to miss. 

The episode also covers simple changes that can help people waste a little less, including turning off the tap while brushing teeth, running full loads in washing machines and dishwashers, using eco settings where possible, taking shorter showers and using a bucket and sponge instead of a hose when washing the car. 

👉 Get practical tips for home and garden: Water Saving Advice 

The great mellow debate 

Of course, no episode about water saving would be complete without getting into the bathroom habits that divide opinion. 

Clare raises the well-known phrase: “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” 

We're a nation divided on this. Some people are fully on board. Others are absolutely not. But whether you are Team Mellow or Team Flush, the point is bigger than one toilet trip. Small changes can add up when lots of households make them. 

That is the tone of the whole episode. No finger-wagging. No guilt. Just a practical conversation about valuing water a little more and wasting a little less. 

Climate change is changing the question 

The episode also looks at why water saving is becoming more important as Scotland’s climate changes. 

We may still get plenty of rain overall, but the pattern is changing. Longer dry spells and heavier bursts of rainfall can put pressure on supplies, particularly in warmer weather when people naturally use more water in homes and gardens. 

That is why the question is not simply “does it rain in Scotland?” It is “how do we make sure there is enough water where and when it is needed?” 

👉 Learn more about saving water and energy: Water is Always Worth Saving 

Drink it, enjoy it, value it

There is one thing the episode is very clear about: saving water does not mean drinking less of it. 

Scotland’s tap water is there to be enjoyed, especially when the weather is warm or when you are out and about. The point is to stay hydrated while being mindful of where water is wasted elsewhere. 

Scottish Water’s Top Up Taps make it easy to refill a bottle for free across Scotland, helping people stay hydrated and reduce single-use plastic at the same time. 

👉 Find your nearest free tap: Top Up Tap Map 

Key takeaways from the episode 

• Scotland may be wet, but water is still a precious resource.
• The average person in Scotland uses around 180 litres of water a day.
• Most of that water is hidden in everyday habits around the home.
• Leaky toilets and dripping taps can waste more water than people realise.
• Climate change is affecting when and where water is available.
• Small changes, made by lots of people, can make a real difference. 

Listen to Drip Feed – Scotland’s Wet. Why Save Water? 

Water talk, real stories and relaxed conversations from across Scotland. 

👉 Browse Drip Feed episodes: Drip Feed podcast