Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson has given his seal of approval to Scottish Water's £6.9m project to connect the West Highland communities of Ardgour, Ballachulish, Duror, Glencoe and Onich to the main drinking water supply from Fort William.

On a visit to the drinking water production plant at Camisky, where a £3m upgrade was completed earlier this year, the minister saw for himself the high standards achieved by its modern membrane filter technology.

Mr Stevenson said: "I'm delighted to be able to visit Lochaber to see how this vital investment is progressing, which will offer the people of Lochaber greater quality in their drinking water. This is just one of a number of projects being delivered across the Highlands, demonstrating how our record investment in the water industry is supporting jobs and the economy in these challenging times."


Simon Harrison, Senior Project Manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said: "The drinking water made at Fort William is the best it's ever been and we looking forward to supplying it to the communities down the A82.

"Not only will this mean those customers can be assured of clear, fresh drinking water that meets all modern standards, but Scottish Water can also supply more to enable development and growth in these communities. We can also close down a number of old treatment works, reducing maintenance costs and the impact on the Lochaber environment."

Work began earlier this year to install water mains from Fort William to Onich and between the other communities due to receive the new supply. Good progress is being made with pipelaying 75% complete.

The supply from Fort William is expected to be switched on by the end of the year. The plant at Camisky uses boreholes by the River Lochy to make drinking water for around 12,000 people throughout the Fort William area, including Corpach, Spean Bridge and all the way round Loch Eil to Trislaig.

(GK/JM)