Scottish Water Switches On First Top Up Tap

Scottish Water's first Top up Tap has been switched on.

The tap will allow thousands of people to stay hydrated on the go in one of the Capital's most historic areas.

The water tap located outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh is the first of a network which the utility plans to install in towns and cities over two years.

The location of the first Top up Tap gives visitors to Holyrood Park, the Parliament and other nearby attractions access to fresh, clean drinking water at the push of a button.

Water drinkers can refill their bottles simply and quickly to stay refreshed and help reduce the impact of waste on the environment.


Edinburgh runner Nicole Wright was the first to top up her refillable bottle from the hi-tech unit which will digitally tracks water usage, helping to record both cost and plastic savings.

She was joined by Scottish Water Chief Executive Douglas Millican, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Linda Fabiani MSP and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham as the first water flowed from the Top up Tap.

The creation of a Top up Tap network forms part of Scottish Water's drive to encourage its customers to carry a reusable bottle and refill on the go, for the benefit of their health, their pocket and the environment.

The Your Water Your Life campaign aims to make ‘tap’ the first choice of Scotland’s water drinkers.

The newest Top up Tap, made from marine-grade steel, is connected to the mains water supply and will be inspected regularly to deliver high quality drinking water to those looking to top up on the go.