North Uist water update, Friday 7 October: supply outage will last at least another week
Scottish Water’s team in the Western Isles, working to establish a solution to the water quality issue on North Uist, say it will take ‘a period of time’ to commission and test a solution, with the earliest possible date for a return to normal supplies being estimated as 14 October.
An issue with the raw water colour, together with the treatment process has caused elevated aluminium levels which need to be reduced before supplies are given the all-clear.
Simon Harrison, Water Operations Manager, Scottish Water, said: ‘We want to apologise to customers for the inconvenience this issue has caused for residents and businesses.
‘The most reliable option is to install an additional treatment process stage at the water treatment works. To achieve this Scottish Water has sourced equipment which is currently on route to North Uist from Southern England.
‘It is anticipated that it will arrive on the island on Monday 10th October and will be commissioned immediately upon arrival. Due to the nature of the work required, it will take several days for it to be installed.
‘As the primary concern is water quality, it will also be necessary to run the water treatment works for some time to ensure that the water meets the necessary standards before it is supplied to homes and business.’
Scottish Water is continuing to work closely with Dr Ken Oates, Consultant in Public Health and Medicine (CPHM) at NHS Highland, NHS Western Isles and Western Isles council on this matter. The current precautionary advice from the CPHM to not drink or cook with tap water remains in force. Affected properties can still use water for washing and flushing toilets.
The earliest possible date for supplies to be returned to normal will be Friday 14 October. Scottish Water will issue all clear notices only when the CPHM is satisfied that the water meets applicable standards.
Simon Harrison continued: ‘I realise this news is not what local people will be hoping to hear from us but I feel it is important to notify the people of North Uist of the likely timescales given the practicalities of installing this new equipment.
‘We will be holding drop in sessions on Monday 10 October and Tuesday 11 October at Paible Primary School, Ashdail Cottages, North Uist from 4pm to 7pm where our staff will be in attendance to answer any questions local people may have.
‘In the meantime we will continue to provide adequate bottled water supplies to customer’s doors. Top-up supplies will also be available at the five locations on the island as follows: Balranald Church HS6 5DW; The Old Church, Caranish HS6 5EJ; The Bayhead Shop HS6 5DS; Clachan Stores HS6 5HD and Ardnasgruban Post Box, Grimsay HS6 5HT. These will be continually replenished.
‘We will write to residents and businesses again when the equipment has arrived to provide an update. We will also provide regular updates through our website, social media, local press and radio as this situation progresses.
‘Once again I apologise for the inconvenience of this issue with the North Uist water supply. We want to thank them for their patience and understanding while we carry out these works to restore their water supply, and we assure the people of North Uist we are working around the clock to resolve this as soon as possible.’
Customers with any questions can call the Scottish Water Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855. Alternatively email customerservice@scottishwater.co.uk. Updates for customers will also be issued at www.facebook.com/scottishwater and on Twitter @scottishwaterpr.
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