Perth and Kinross councillors question Scottish Government survey which suggests people should drink less water

The Scottish Government confirmed it was not proposing people drink less water

Perth and Kinross councillors have questioned the wording of a government survey which seems to suggest people should drink less water.

Elected members suggested it went against public health advice and called for the council to change its initial answer which agreed “that everyone in Scotland needs to use less drinking water”.

On Wednesday, February 7, Perth and Kinross Council’s Environment, Infrastructure and Economic Development Committee was asked to consider its draft response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on water, wastewater and drainage.

Eyebrows were raised as to whether the government was suggesting people should drink less water.

Question three of the Water, Wastewater and Drainage Policy Consultation survey asked: “To what extent do you agree or disagree that everyone in Scotland needs to use less drinking water?”

Independent councillor Colin Stewart questioned why PKC had responded “agree” to this question.

Mark Butterworth, head of environmental and consumer services, said: “I think generally speaking the more drinking water you use the more that needs to be processed, etc. I think that’s just simply a comment around [using] less drinking water less impact on the environment I would say.”

Cllr Stewart responded: “I think with climate change there’s more rain and more drinking water available so surely we should be drinking more of it to help solve the problem?”

Mr Butterworth highlighted that “as well as periods of excessive rainfall there are periods of excessive drought”.

Question four of the survey also asked: “How do you think people and businesses could use less drinking water?”

Vice-convener SNP councillor Jack Welch agreed with Cllr Stewart that it was “poorly worded”.

He said: “I think it’s poorly worded. It should probably say ‘potable water’ – that’s water that’s been treated, which is used in flushing toilets, etc. Water is one of the most energy intensive industries. Therefore less potable water being used wastefully means improvement and reductions in carbon dioxide production.”

Robert Lyle, PKC’s regulatory services manager, agreed with Cllr Welch’s analysis. He said water shortages led to some people choosing between a cuppa and washing.

He said: “In the private water world we clearly want people to be using a bit less water because in the summertime we know these supplies dry up. And the owners of private water supplies have to make up their mind whether they want to boil a kettle or have a wash in the morning during summer.”

Conservative councillor Hugh Anderson added: “I’ve been advised to keep drinking lots of fresh water for my health. That should be pushed more, not the decrease of consumption encouraged.”

SNP convener Eric Drysdale moved the report for approval saying he welcomed the opportunity for the council to feed back its views and accepted the recommendations made. This was seconded by Cllr Welch and approved by the committee.

Following the meeting a Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed it was “not proposing that people drink less water” but to reduce usage for other purposes as Scotland uses more tap water – per resident – than the rest of the UK.

The spokesperson said: “In Scotland, the average person uses over 180 litres of tap water every day – higher than any other part of the UK and many European countries.

“We are not proposing that people drink less water, but we do need to consider ways of reducing the amount of it we use for other purposes – for example, by showering for less time; installing a water butt; using a watering can or bucket instead of a hose; or installing products that do the same thing with less water – like dishwashers – and by fixing leaky taps and toilets.”