Scots urged to take shorter showers and avoid using hoses

Scots are being urged to take shorter showers and avoid using hoses after the driest start to the year since 1964.

Scottish Water is appealing for residents north of the border to use supplies sparingly amid an increase in consumption over the past few weeks. The firm stopped short of calling for a full hosepipe ban, which was last implemented in Scotland in 1995.

It comes as temperatures in parts of the nation rose above 25C on Tuesday, making it the hottest day of the year so far. Scottish Water said it has pumped an extra 150 million litres a day into the network across the country since mid-April.

Scots are said to be using an average of 178 litres of water per person per day - higher than in England and Wales where it is estimated to be an average of 137 litres. Average reservoir levels across Scotland are said to be at 81%, which is 10% lower than normal for this time of year.

Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water, said: "We're working hard to maintain normal supplies for all customers and would ask that they use water efficiently to protect this precious resource. "We believe that a large part of the additional water use at the moment is in gardens so we would ask that customers are mindful of how much water they use there." Read more:Will there be a hosepipe ban in the UK?Check the latest weather forecast here Scottish Water said it has been the driest start to the year since 1964, with only 59% of long-term average rainfall between January and April.

Rainfall this month has so far been even lower across most of the country, with little more expected until at least 22 May. With forecasts of more dry and warm weather to come, Scottish Water has issued guidance to ensure its supply systems can cope with demand.

Top tips for water use in homes and gardens: • Take shorter showers• Turn the tap off when brushing teeth• Use washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded• Use a watering can instead of a garden hose and avoid using sprinklers• Use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash any vehicles Scottish Water said tankers have been mobilised to supplement normal water supplies in some parts of the country, including Gullane and Aberlady in East Lothian; areas north of Aberdeen such as Potterton, Middleton Park, and Belhelvie; Maybole, Turnberry and Maidens in South Ayrshire; Kippen and Balfron in west Stirlingshire; and the Strathpeffer area in Ross-shire. In Moray, borehole supplies from the River Spey are being boosted by pumping water directly from the river to maintain normal levels.

Mr Plant added: "Scotland's climate is clearly changing and, as a country, we need to ensure we adapt both by investing appropriately in water infrastructure - which Scottish Water is doing - and ensuring we do what we can to use water more efficiently in our homes and businesses. "Water is always worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden we can make our country's water go even further and help maintain normal supplies.".