Parents in Dumfries and Galloway are being encouraged to ensure their kids’ back to school regime includes a key item along with the standard new blazer, gym kit and pencil case – a reusable water bottle.
Acclaimed Scots health and nutrition expert Amanda Hamilton is supporting a drive by Scottish Water to remind both parents and children of the benefits of taking a reusable water bottle to use at school.
Amanda, a mother-of-two and best-selling author, said: “Encouraging children to have a regular water intake throughout the school day is a vital aspect to maintain good health and a healthy learning environment.
“It has been proven that through drinking water and staying hydrated children are more attentive and focused during lessons for longer periods of time.
“We are lucky to have safe and delicious water from the tap, we should all be making the most of it. For parents trying to wean kids off sugary drinks, it can help to add a slice or orange, lemon or even a sprig of mint to tap water for extra flavour.
“Like many families, in my home we do all we can do reduce the use of plastic. We’ve made it part of the daily routine to re-fill water bottles from the tap.
“By highlighting the benefits of a reusable water bottle and filling up from the tap, we are helping to instil in children the small daily habits that can make a big difference. The reality is that this is message for all ages – so using a reusable water bottle is just as applicable for people returning to work or students going back after the summer.” Although education authorities actively promote the need for parents to provide children with a reusable water bottle, Scottish Water has targeted the key weekend before schools in Dumfries and Galloway return after the summer break as a prime time to deliver its reminder message.
It comes as Scottish Water continues to expand its ‘Your Water Your Life’ campaign which aims to encourage people to top up from the tap to benefit the environment, their health and their pocket.
To encourage people to stay hydrated on the go, a network of Top up Taps is being installed throughout the country. The first ten have been switched on – including Scotland’s first outside the Scottish Parliament – with plans to introduce more over the coming months.
Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: ‘Your Water Your Life’ aims to highlight the importance water plays in the lives of people across Scotland.
“We want to encourage everyone to choose our nation’s greatest natural asset, which is our fresh and tasty water – straight from the tap.
“At Scottish Water we believe every child needs to be aware of the benefits of a reusable water bottle – and of just how easy it is to use one to top up with tap water.
“So any parent who is out shopping this last weekend before the start of the new term should be reminded to ensure their back-to-school regime has not only a new uniform, shoes, gym back and the like – but also a reusable water bottle.
“We believe that if everyone joins in, the positive impact on Scotland and the world will be incredible. Every little thing makes a difference.”
The individual Top Up taps are connected to the mains water supply and are inspected regularly. The units digitally track how much water has been issued and records both the cost and plastic savings.
Find out more at: https://www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk/
