Watersense

Scottish Water is working in partnership with WaterSense to raise awarness and highlight the problems caused by a number of chemicals in everyday household products when they are washed down the drain and enter rivers, lochs and the sea.

Toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant and even perfume and toothpaste, which are all washed down the drain after baths and showers, can contain harmful chemicals that hang around in the water environment for a long time. These chemicals can also build up in the bodies of wildlife and cause reproductive problems.

Research commissioned by WaterSense shows a widespread lack of awareness about what actually happens to water when it goes down the drain. Even amongst those who are most concerned about environmental issues, one third of people don't know what happens to water after it reaches the drain.

The message of the WaterSense campaign is very simple - be careful what products you choose to use round the house and in the bathroom – as they all end up down the drain. Some of these household cleaners and toiletries contain chemicals that should not be unleashed into the water environment.

As much as possible we should switch to greener, more eco-friendly products and toiletries as they perform just as well as their chemical counterparts and don’t harm aquatic life. We can all make a real difference in reducing the number of harmful chemicals that enter our watercourses and affect our seas, lochs and rivers.

You can visit the WaterSense website at www.watersense.org.uk to find out what’s in your favourite products and to get practical advice on safer alternatives.

WaterSense is a partnership between WWF Scotland, the Scottish Government (formerly the Scottish Executive), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Water. It is part funded by HSBC as part of Investing in Nature, a US$50 million, five-year partnership working with WWF, Botanic Gardens Conservation International and Earthwatch. Launched in February 2002, Investing in Nature will protect 20,000 plant species from extinction, breathe life into some of the world's major rivers and send scientists and HSBC fieldworkers around the world.