SIC in top up tap talks

SHETLAND Islands Council has been involved in talks with Scottish Water as the utility body looks to bring a public water point to the isles to encourage more people to use refillable bottles.

Scottish Water ‘top up taps’ will be installed in around 30 towns and cities over the next two years in a bid to cut down on the amount of plastic circulating the country.

A spokesman confirmed that Scottish Water is “actively exploring the potential for a site in Shetland”.

“Early discussions have taken place with Shetland Islands Council and other local stakeholders to explore potential locations,” he added.

Each top up tap unit will be plumbed into the public water supply and fitted with technology which will enable Scottish Water staff to digitally track water usage at each spot.

Shetland Islands Council’s environment and transport committee chairman Ryan Thomson – who also runs a campaign to end single-use plastics in the isles – said public taps should be encouraged.

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Some shops and local businesses are also happy to provide free tap water.

“Once again, we’re going ‘back to the future’ in order to combat modern issue, with public taps being made publicly available previously and taken away,” Thomson said.

“It’s great to see they are being reintroduced across Scotland, and the SIC will engage with Scottish Water fully to help pinpoint and locate the appropriate area for a tap to be installed.”