Taps-on for a top up as Edinburgh gets five new public refill stations

A Scotland-wide network of public water refill taps that allow people to top up their refillable bottles while on the move is being further expanded – with Edinburgh set to get five more.

Council leader Adam McVey tests the water at Edinburgh's newest free refill station

Scottish Water is to install 70 of its distinctive bright blue Top up Taps by March 2021 – including sites at Leith Links, Portobello, the Royal Mile, West End and the Grassmarket.

And with Edinburgh being home to the first tap – at the Scottish Parliament – it means the capital will be leading the way in Scotland as the first city to have six taps.

The equivalent of 250,000 plastic bottles have already been saved through people topping up from the current collection of Top up Taps located across Scotland.

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “There’s a growing appetite from the public to fill up their reusable bottles, and in these changing times it is more important than ever to take a refillable bottle with you and have your own fresh, clear water while you’re on the go.”

The latest Top up Tap to be added to the roll-out programme is in Leith Links , where Edinburgh City Council leader, and local councillor, Adam McVey was on hand to be the first to sample it.

He said: “Access to drinking water refilling points is an issue I’ve personally raised with Scottish Water and I’m delighted they’ve been so engaged in helping Edinburgers do their bit to contribute.”

A full list of the current and planned Top up Taps is available at https://www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/

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