Scottish Water said on 22 July 2026 that more than 40 tankers were transporting water across almost 20 locations to help maintain supplies, following a series of significant trunk main bursts and sustained high demand1. The utility said prolonged hot and dry weather had driven demand across Scotland, with domestic water use up by an average of 10 per cent1.
Parts of Fife, the Borders and Ayrshire were experiencing the greatest pressure on supplies1. The tanker response had helped protect customers in Fife, the Borders and the Forth Valley area from losing water supplies, and teams were monitoring priority sites and on stand-by to tanker resources where needed1. Reservoir levels remained around average for this time of year1.
Scottish Water said disruption had been limited, with only small numbers of customers experiencing interruptions, and that operational teams had worked around the clock, including to repair a burst on a pipe near Helix Park in Falkirk1. The company published an aerial image of the aftermath of one of the recent significant bursts on a water main near the Kelpies and The Helix in Falkirk, which it said had impacted water resources1.
Kevin Roy, Director of Water Services at Scottish Water, said:
"With the warm weather set to continue, we're asking everyone to help by using water as efficiently as possible. Small changes by lots of people really do make a difference, helping reduce pressure on local water supplies and keeping water flowing for communities across the country."
Scottish Water listed the following ways for customers to help1:
| Measure | Detail given by Scottish Water |
|---|---|
| Watering | Use a watering can instead of a hose where possible |
| Timing | Water gardens early in the morning or later in the evening |
| Showers | Take shorter showers |
| Appliances | Only use washing machines and dishwashers with full loads |
| Taps | Turn off the tap while brushing teeth; fix dripping taps |
Customers can report a problem to Scottish Water on 0800 0778 778, a line the company lists as available 24 hours a day, seven days a week1. The company's guidance on reporting no water or a burst pipe sets out how such reports are handled, and its incident response page explains how water companies respond to a major incident.
Why it matters for households
The pressure on supplies is concentrated in Fife, the Borders and Ayrshire, with the tanker operation also protecting customers in the Forth Valley area1. Scottish Water reports that only small numbers of customers have experienced interruptions so far, and that reservoir levels are around average for the time of year1. The company attributes the additional pressure to sustained demand in hot, dry weather combined with several major trunk main bursts, including the burst near Helix Park in Falkirk1. Its stated request to households is to use water as efficiently as possible while the warm weather continues1. Households in Scotland can find official advice on supplies in the guide to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the guide to bottled supplies, tankers and bowsers explains how water companies provide emergency supplies. The water hub and the emergency kit hub carry the wider background.
What happens next
Scottish Water said the warm weather was set to continue and that teams remained on stand-by to tanker resources where needed1. No end date for the tanker operation or for the period of high demand has been reported1.
Sources (1)
- Hot weather prompts water-saving call | Scottish Water - Scottish Water, scottishwater.co.uk
Water Company Incident Response
Scotland, Wales and NI Advice
