As Climate Week begins in Scotland, Scottish Water has reported that households across the country have saved 80 million litres of water in a water efficiency drive.

Water efficiency advice and devices have been given to thousands of homes in the past year and the water saved is enough to fill 32 Olympic sized swimming pools or 53 million full kettles.

Now the water company is calling on even more people to join the drive to reduce their daily water usage. The utility is working in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust and Home Energy Scotland to help households save water, energy and money.

During the summer, Home Energy Scotland attended a host of summer events giving water efficiency advice and water waving devices to 30,000 households across the country.

Scottish Water estimates that the 80 million litres of water saved could equate to a reduction in its carbon footprint of about 240 tonnes of CO2 equivalent – enough to heat almost 90 homes for a year.

The water company is now calling for more people to use water wisely and take simple steps to save water.

Brian McCarthy, Scottish Water’s reservoirs and supply demand manager, said:

“These new figures show that a massive amount of water has been saved by people across Scotland after we have issued great water efficiency advice and provided devices such as shower timers and tap aerators to thousands of households.

“We would urge everyone to do what they can to reduce consumption of this precious resource and in turn help the environment and save money through reduced energy bills.”

Water use accounts for 6% of UK carbon emissions, the same as the aviation industry - 1% of this is from collecting, treating and pumping drinking water to homes.

Scottish Water is one of the largest single users of electricity in Scotland. The company is aiming to increase the amount of energy it generates or hosts by 300% more than the energy consumed.