Aberdeenshire schools tap into water-saving scheme
Primary schools are set to benefit from a practical sustainability initiative that aims to inspire young minds while helping cut water usage.
As part of its commitment under the Public Sector Scotland (PSS) framework, water subsidiary Business Stream has provided free water butts to 15 primary schools across Aberdeenshire, including in Banff and Huntly.
The water butts, which capture and store rainwater for outdoor use, are expected to save up to 2000 litres of water a year for each school.
Sophia Goring, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Business Stream, said: “This innovative water-saving project not only helps schools reduce water consumption but also provides a practical, hands-on learning opportunity for young students to understand environmental sustainability.
“By introducing water butts into primary schools, we're empowering the next generation to become environmentally conscious citizens.”
The schools receiving water butts are Banff Primary School; Fishermoss Primary School; Glass Primary School; Gordon Primary School; Gourdon Primary School; Lumsden Primary School; Methlick Primary School; New Deer Primary School; Port Errol Primary School; Premnay Primary School; Redmyre Primary School; Rhynie Primary School; St Andrews Primary School; Strathburn Primary School and Strathdon Primary School.
Each school is encouraged to locate and secure their water butt in a safe and practical area, ensuring it supports outdoor learning and gardening activities while adhering to health and safety guidelines.
As part of the rollout, local authorities will also be invited to share feedback and case studies from participating schools, capturing the environmental and educational impact of the initiative for future learning and reporting.
The initiative underlines Business Stream’s wider environmental commitment. Since launching its Make A Positive Difference (MAPD) vision in 2019, the organisation has delivered more than 30 ESG-focused initiatives.
Sophia added: “This initiative is a perfect example of how small, practical actions can deliver long-term benefits for both people and planet.
“We’re committed to helping our public sector customers meet their environmental goals, and this is a fantastic way to encourage sustainable thinking from a young age.
“Our hope is that these water butts become a lasting resource for schools, both as a tool for reducing water usage and as an opportunity to bring sustainability to life for children in a fun and hands-on way.”
Business Stream supports both public and private sector clients in driving sustainability improvements across their operations.
