Work has been completed to enhance the water supply for residents and businesses in Kenmore, Perthshire.

The project means the supply of water will now be more consistent in terms of its colour and quality, even in times of heavy rainfall. In the past, heavy rainfall has affected the water supply, but Scottish Water Solutions, the project delivery arm of Scottish Water, delivered a plan to stabilise the water quality.

Mike Pratt, Project Manager, Scottish Water Solutions, explained: "The objective of this project was to make sure the supply meets regulatory standards set out by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator.


"The project work involved constructing a new pumping station building with incoming below-ground pipework, a clean water outfall to the River Tay and small process modifications within the existing treatment building.

"Key to avoiding the supply of water to the public that isn't up to the highest standards during heavy rainfall events was diverting treated drinking water from the Killiecrankie pipeline which runs nearby and feeds other areas.

"To get this water into the Kenmore system we constructed a pumping station which keeps the service reservoir - essentially a giant water tank - topped up until the river water quality returns to normal.

"When the river returns to normal conditions we can revert back to the borehole supply - but only after we have flushed the system through to ensure there is no lowering of the water quality to the customer.

"The outfall pipe we have constructed will be where the flushed water is returned to the River Tay. The flush water is straight from the borehole and will only be flushed until the water quality instruments confirm that the water is back to normal. No chemicals are added to this - it is natural water and the environment in the Tay will continue to be protected."

(JP/IT)