Stay Safe Around Reservoirs and All Water Courses This Summer 

Scottish Water is urging people to stay safe and not take risks around watercourses such as reservoirs, rivers, lochs and coastal waters this summer.

The latest figures issued by the National Water Safety Forum show that there were 39 accidental drownings in Scotland in 2025 - and 202 across the UK – with most occurring at inland locations such as reservoirs, rivers and lochs or lakes.

The call from Scottish Water follows some dangerous and anti-social behaviour by groups of young people at reservoirs across Scotland, including diving from water towers which are working parts of reservoirs, and a number of accidental drownings in England and Wales during the hot weather there.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: “While people should enjoy any good weather we have this summer and take pleasure around beautiful lochs, reservoirs, rivers and beaches, it’s absolutely vital they stay safe at all times and behave responsibly.

“As the 39 accidental drownings in Scotland last year show, safety is a serious issue in all bodies of water. At reservoirs, while the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers. We need to ensure everyone is aware of these hazards and we’re reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking everyone to act responsibly around reservoirs and other watercourses.”

In the interests of public safety, Scottish Water does not encourage swimming in its 300 reservoirs. 

Deep, cold water is a particular danger at reservoirs and dams, steep banks, spillways (overflows) and underwater pipework can also present real hazards. Inland waters such as reservoirs also remain dangerously cold – even in warm summer weather - and are hazardous for cold water shock, an involuntary physiological response when the body is suddenly immersed in cold water.

Many reservoirs are also situated in remote locations, meaning there is a lack of immediate assistance and mobile phone reception can be poor. The company’s reservoir safety advice is also targeted at pet owners. One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their dog gets in trouble in water and the owner goes in to help. Sometimes the dog survives but the owner doesn’t.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), the leading water safety education charity, is backing Scottish Water’s advice and is launching its annual national Drowning Prevention Week campaign from 13-20 June 2026.

Ashley Jones, RLSS UK Head of Water Safety and Education, said: “Every accidental drowning is a devastating tragedy that affects families, friends, and whole communities. Teenagers are a very high risk group, drownings increase in warmer weather, and inland waters, such as lochs, lakes, rivers and reservoirs, remain the most common location for accidental drownings."

RLSS UK’s Drowning Prevention Week is timed to ensure families, educators and leisure operators have the opportunity to discuss water safety with children and teenagers, ahead of the school summer holidays. Also supporting Scottish Water’s call, Carlene McAvoy, Head of Policy at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said: “As the weather improves and more people head outdoors, we sadly see a rise in accidental drownings every spring and summer. Too many of these tragedies are preventable. That’s why RoSPA works closely with Water Safety Scotland and organisations across the country to make sure clear, life-saving water safety advice reaches people of all ages.

“Water Safety Scotland provides a fantastic range of free resources for teachers, parents and communities, including education materials developed with Education Scotland, alongside practical videos and guidance. At the heart of this is the Water Safety Code – Stop and Think, Spot the Dangers; Stay Together, Stay Close; and In an Emergency, Call 999. “We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to learn the Water Safety Code and pass it on. Sharing this knowledge could make all the difference and help keep people safe in, on and around water this summer.”

A team of Scottish Water reservoir rangers is promoting water safety on patrols at some of the company’s busiest reservoirs, such as Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, Gladhouse in Midlothian, Kilpatrick Hills in West Dunbartonshire, and Carron Valley, North Third and Cocksburn in Stirlingshire.

Donna Mills, Scottish Water’s Land Strategy Team Manager, said: “Our rangers are out across key sites speaking directly with visitors about how to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly. They’re sharing tailored advice and highlighting good practice guidance developed by Water Safety Scotland.

“Also, as part of localised PAWS groups (Partnership Approach to Water Safety), we are working closely with Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and local councils to deliver joint patrols, school talks, and attend community events – all aimed at promoting water safety and responsible behaviour.

“All of this complements our social media campaigns and our onsite safety signage which we’d encourage everyone to take a moment to read and follow the guidance when visiting.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Water is supporting the Learn to Swim National Framework, a unique partnership between the utility and Scottish Swimming. Its focus is on water safety and drowning prevention – with a vision to create ‘Generation Swim’, a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers who will have essential water safety knowledge and skills and will experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.

The Learn to Swim National Framework creates inclusive, supportive, and quality environments in which people of all ages and abilities can learn to swim. This is being delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in more than 165 pools across Scotland, with over 88,600 children and adults currently learning to swim each week.

The Learn to Swim programme delivers an annual water safety push in June every year, to coincide with Drowning Prevention Week, where all youngsters take part in a Learn to Swim water safety swim lesson delivered by the leisure trusts and aquatic providers. 

In partnership with Water Safety Scotland, Scottish Water will also once again host a Water Safety Open Day on Saturday 25 July at Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch.