No joy greets Bressay’s new water supply
SCOTTISH Water’s new £850,000 water supply to the Shetland island of Bressay has been criticised by local residents.
The new supply, which comes on stream this month, will carry water from Lerwick’s Sandy Loch through an eight kilometre plastic pipe that crosses Lerwick harbour, replacing the existing supply that comes from Brough Loch on the isle.
The organisation said the old supply needed to be replaced and the new system costs less than half as much as building a new treatment works.
However islanders have criticised Scottish Water for failing to listen to their request to keep the old water supply and for failing to address the more urgent issue of a new sewage system.
They came under fire from watchdog Waterwatch Scotland last year for failing to carry out a proper consultation with islanders.
When they responded with an open day explaining their plans, they were further criticised by local MSP Tavish Scott for not consulting properly.
On Wednesday island resident Katrina Christie said she was concerned that there was no contingency plan if the Lerwick supply failed and the need for a sewage system was more important.
“We have said that we would have needed a sewage system more than a new water supply because that is hindering new housing that has been planned for Bressay,” Ms Christie said.
Fellow resident Jonathan Wills added: “This is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with the Bressay water supply. The water board would not listen to the public and this is simply to save money and put one man out of work.
“This is a classic example of ignorant overcentralisation completely ignoring the wishes of the people.”
However Scottish Water spokesman Jason Rose said the water works on Bressay needed upgrading and sewage was not their responsibility.
“We could have built a new works on the island for a couple of million but it made more sense to spend less than half that on a pipeline. This also gives us the advantage of reduced ongoing maintenance costs. We are funded from customer charges and must invest their money wisely,” Mr Rose said.
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“I understand there are calls for a public sewerage system but this is a matter for the environment agency not Scottish Water. We would install a system if directed to do so.”
Addressing concerns about a lack of contingency measures, he added that the new system would allow more water to be stored on the island giving them more time to resolve any problems that arose. “Sub-sea pipelines are used elsewhere and we have no problems.”
The organisation has said that a few islanders still have an “emotional attachment” to the old supply and that is no basis on which to make decisions.
Scottish Water also warned pet fish owners that the new supply will be treated using “chloramination” rather than chlorine, and said they would have to use conditioning agents available from pet shops.
NHS Shetland have also been informed as the change could affect people who rely on kidney dialysis
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