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Islanders urged to save water                 12/7/12

Islanders are being offered free devices for their toilet cisterns in a desperate drive to save water as an unprecedented drought continues in the Hebrides.

In stark contrast to the torrential washout elsewhere in the country the Hebrides are experiencing an extended dry spell with no real rain for months.

Villages across South Uist, Lochmaddy and North Tolsta are affected. The situation is more acute in Stornoway where Scottish Water warns that reservoirs levels are dropping and have engineers out and about urgently fixing leaks to conserve every last drop.

The utility company is now offering islanders free Save-a-Flush bags which can save around one litre of water every time a toilet is flushed. Toilet flushing uses around 30 per cent of water in the typical home. The crystals-filled bags swell in contact with water and reduce the volume of water needed in a cistern.

The firm has also urges islanders to switch off the tap when brushing teeth and only filling the washing machine to the brim instead of a half load.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water's Customer Service Delivery Director, said: “As drier weather continues in the North West Highlands and West Highlands Scottish Water’s top priority is to continue monitoring water levels to ensure we can respond where necessary and ensure a water supply to customers is maintained.

“At present we are focusing on the Stornoway area by finding and fixing leaks while encouraging everyone living and working locally to take simple steps to use water wisely.

“While people should use their toilet as normal installing a Save-a-Flush bag provided by Scottish Water can save around one litre of water every time a toilet is used.

“Customers can be assured that we are and will continue to do everything we can to maintain water supplies in the face of a period of dry weather.”

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