Protect Outdoor Taps and Vacant Properties – Don’t Leave Taps Running

“The support that property owners and members of the public can give us with locating issues and sustaining supplies for everyone is enormously appreciated.”

John Griffen
Water Operations General Manager, Scottish Water

Scottish Water is reminding customers in rural areas to take simple steps to prevent frozen pipes during cold weather – but without leaving taps running.

Leaving taps running wastes significant amounts of water and does not guarantee protection against bursts. Instead, customers are urged to insulate pipes and check properties to help maintain supplies and avoid disruption.

Why this matters:

In some areas, water demand has risen sharply, and this may be due to outdoor taps and troughs being left running or pipes bursting in unoccupied holiday homes. This can put pressure on local supplies and affect communities.

Key advice for rural customers:

• Never leave taps running – it wastes water and doesn’t prevent bursts.
• Insulate and protect exposed pipes and tanks, especially in outbuildings and remote locations.
• Use frost-protection settings on boilers to keep water moving during cold snaps.
• Check vacant properties and isolate or drain pipes where possible.
• Report leaks or bursts promptly to Scottish Water.

John Griffen, Scottish Water’s water operations general manager, said: “Our customers play a vital role in preparing their homes and businesses for winter weather and also in helping us respond when freezing conditions do cause bursts or leaks.
“Taps should never be left running to prevent pipes from freezing. Doing so can waste a lot of water and that can adversely impact our ability to maintain normal supplies in some areas.

“It also does not guarantee protection against pipe bursts, which are more effectively prevented through insulation and heating.
“The plumbing within properties that are empty over winter, or pipes connecting outdoor taps that are not being used, should be isolated and drained wherever possible."

Scottish Water is also asking customers to report any leaks or bursts on the public water network so they can be fixed, especially when thaw conditions arrive.

When temperatures fall below zero, water in pipes can freeze, expand, and then contract if the temperature rises, and this can cause them to crack or burst. 

Mr Griffen added: “We are also asking customers to check any empty properties, business premises, holiday homes, basements, out-houses, field troughs or garden taps to identify where there may be any burst pipes.

“The support that property owners and members of the public can give us with locating issues and sustaining supplies for everyone is enormously appreciated.”

Issues can be reported via the online reporting portal. Wider advice on saving water, saving money and protecting homes from the effects of winter weather is available at Be Winter Wise - Scottish Water.