YOUNG eco-warriors of Clackmannanshire helped to launch the first public freshwater tap in the county.

The fountain will help to promote awareness of issues such as the need to cut down on the use of single-use plastics, as well as the need to keep hydrated.

Pupils from Sunnyside Primary School’s Eco Committee were the first to try out Scottish Water’s new refill tap on Alloa high street yesterday, November 12.

The schoolchildren made posters for Scottish Water’s Your Water Your Life campaign, which encourages people to drink tap water while out and about and protect the planet by using refillable bottles.

Denise Penman, headteacher at Sunnyside Primary School, joined the pupils and was delighted to see the tap.

She said: “Pupils on our Eco Committee have been discussing the impact single use plastic bottles can have on our environment and the importance of drinking water to stay healthy.

“We are excited to be able to encourage others to stay healthy and look after our environment."

The hi-tech tap gives access to free, fresh and clean drinking water at the push of a button.

It is plumbed directly into the public water supply and has digital tracking technology which logs how much water is being used and how much plastic is potentially saved.

Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, attended yesterday's launch and said: “It’s great Scottish Water’s latest top up tap is located here in Alloa – it will be a great addition to the High Street.

"It will hopefully encourage more people to carry a reusable bottle if they know there is a place to refill it when in the town.”

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, added: “It is fantastic that Alloa now has a top up tap which will allow local people to refill their water bottles when they are out and about with high quality drinking water.

“[This] is not only good for their health, but will also help to cut down on the use of plastics.”

Scottish Water plans to install 70 taps across the country over the course of the next 18 months.

The Alloa tap is the 16th to be installed and the first in Clackmannanshire.