A NEW refillable water tap has now been installed in Irvine’s Harbourside in a bid to reduce the use of plastic.

Work to install the refilling tap – for joggers, walkers or anyone needing to quench their thirst – was completed last week after planning chiefs previously approved the idea back in January.

Scottish Water installed the bottle refill station near the Harbour Arts Centre – after the Scottish Government said it hoped the plan would encourage the re-use of plastic.

The company said: “Scottish Water has committed to install outdoor water bottle filling stations across Scotland to encourage and promote the use of refillable bottles which customers can fill up with one of the country’s best-loved products – our nation’s tap water.

“The benefits of topping up with fresh, great tasting tap water are clear – it’s good value and good for the pocket, it’s good for the environment and it’s good for health.

“It is considered that the installation of a Top Up Tap in this location will add positively to the recreational value and leisure facilities in the area.”

Roseanna Cunningham, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform said: “This is a fantastic campaign which fits in with our work to reduce Scotland’s dependence on single use plastic and is raising awareness of the health benefits of drinking more tap water, which is excellent in quality and value.

“We would encourage people to make the switch to reusable bottles if they can as it will help protect the environment and can save money.

“This campaign also builds on our commitments to tackle our throwaway culture as we are the first part of the UK to commit to a deposit return

scheme.”