Stay Safe Around Reservoirs

Scottish Water is urging people to stay safe around reservoirs and other watercourses ahead of some forecast cold weather.

The publicly-owned water and waste water organisation is advising people to be vigilant and not to take risks around freezing cold reservoirs, lochs and rivers and any parts of watercourses that are covered in ice.

While people should enjoy winter walks or runs around the country’s beautiful reservoirs, lochs and rivers – it’s absolutely vital that they stay safe and act responsibly at all times when near open water.

Scottish Water’s key advice is that:

• People should not go too close to the edge because they could slip and fall in
• Adults should keep children safe
• People should not walk on ice-covered water
• And dogs should be kept on a lead if they are being walked near reservoirs and other bodies of open water

Scottish Water is also advising people about the hidden dangers in reservoirs and urging them to be particularly careful if they visit one.

Reservoirs are man-made features which have unique dangers such as dams, spillways (overflows) and hidden water intakes (underwater pipe work that takes water out of the reservoir) and other hazards common to natural bodies of water, such as reeds, strong currents, steep banks and deep cold water.

As the majority of Scottish Water's reservoirs are situated in remote locations, there is also a lack of immediate assistance. For these reasons, and in the interests of public safety, Scottish Water does not encourage swimming or diving in any of its reservoirs.

“If you are out walking, please take care around the edges of reservoirs and other water bodies.”

Peter Farrer
Chief Operating Officer, Scottish Water

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is possible that reservoirs and other bodies of water may freeze over and if you walk out onto ice-covered water there is no way of knowing whether the ice will hold your weight.

“If you are out walking, please take care around the edges of reservoirs and other water bodies and do not attempt to follow pets if they run out onto frozen water.

“One of the biggest concerns with dog owners is when their pet experiences difficulties after going into water, chasing a ball or stick. The pet might survive such incidents, but the owners, who have attempted to save them, may not.

“Natural hazards can lurk beneath the surface, where people can get entangled in vegetation or stuck in mud. As the majority of reservoirs are remote, there is a lack of immediate assistance because the emergency services often can’t get to the area quickly.”

Scottish Water's #ReservoirSafety film highlights the importance of reservoir safety, which can be viewed above.