Vision boosting Western Isles Economy
In February 2008 Scottish Water announced investments that will bring the economic benefits of its 2010 Vision for the Western Isles – a wave of improvements throughout the islands providing clearer, fresher drinking water, protecting the environment and enabling development.
By 2010 Scottish Water we expect to invest at least £58million in the Western Isles since 2006. Already the islands’ economy is benefiting as local firms win major work orders. 33 of the 49 projects are now underway with the remainder due to start in the coming months, for a full list of the investment work scheduled, see the bottom of the page.
Calum Mackenzie, Scottish Water’s team manager for the Western Isles, said: “From new pipes to improvements at treatment works, we’re investing heavily in the Western Isles right now. Our vision is that by 2010 customers will have more reliable supplies of clearer, fresher drinking water and a clean environment. We’re also working closely with council planners and developers to ensure that our investment helps growth. And all this is happening while our charges remain among the lowest in the UK and we continue to provide a superb 24/7 service.”
MSP sees benefits for himself
MSP Alasdair Allan recently saw for himself the benefits of Scottish Water’s Vision for the Western Isles.
Following a visit to the £753,000 waste water upgrade at Tong and the £2.3million drinking water upgrade at North Lochs, Mr Allan said: “I was very impressed by the new and improved facilities both at Tong and North Lochs and by the determination of the staff and contractors to upgrade the water supply in the islands. Scottish Water are leading the way with their use of cutting edge technology and I’m sure this won’t be the last significant development we see in the isles.”
Using local contractors
Graham Alexander, senior project manager for Scottish Water Solutions, the partnership of utility companies and contractors delivering most of the Western Isles investment, said: “We’ve been working closely with the Western Isles Council and local contractors to ensure that we use local companies whenever possible during this period of investment. Bardon Hebrides for example are already delivering great work for us here at Tong and on a number of other sites in the Western Isles demonstrating an extremely proactive approach. In return, the investment programme gives them certainty to plan their resources as it’s a significant undertaking for them.”
Scottish Water's 2010 Vision for the Western Isles
In addition to Tong and North Lochs, major projects include:
- Back Tolsta £2.9million drinking water upgrade
- Barra £2.8m drinking water upgrade
- Bayble £1.2million waste water upgrade to increase capacity and protect the environment
- Bayhead £2.7m drinking water upgrade
- Benbecula £3.1m drinking water upgrade
- Berneray £748,000 drinking water upgrade
- Eoropie £1.3m waste water upgrade
- Geocrab £3m drinking water upgrade
- Lemreway £1m drinking water upgrade
- Leurbost and Crosbost £4million waste water upgrade to improve the quality of shellfish waters
- Melbost £1.5million waste water upgrade to increase capacity and protect the environment
- Ness £3.8m drinking water upgrade
- North Uist £1.9m water mains renewal
- South Uist £3.2m drinking water upgrade
- Steinish £660,000 waste water upgrade to remove a discharge into sensitive environment and shellfish harvesting waters. Also enables growth.
- Stornoway £6.6m drinking water upgrade
- Tarbert £958,000 water mains renewal
- Tarbert £2.5m drinking water upgrade
- West Lewis £3.5m drinking water upgrade
