A Cleaner Fresher Ayrshire

By 2010 more people will be enjoying Ayrshire's water

We’re working hard to protect the natural environment

As part of our 2010 vision for Ayrshire we’re carrying out a multi-million pound scheme to help protect the coastal areas and rivers in your region. This major investment will provide huge environmental benefits as well as help to meet stringent EC directives and Bathing Water standards.

The majority of this investment will be to improve the quality of the bathing waters and natural environment of Kilmarnock Water, River Irvine and Irvine Bay.

The scheme consists of several projects which include constructing new pipelines and pumping stations. Investigation work is currently underway to identify the requirements for each project.

An important part of this scheme is the input and support of our customers and we will therefore   be introducing and presenting our plans over the next few months through a variety of different channels to relevant stakeholders in the local community including Local Councillors, Community Councils and Media.

We’re thinking ahead, we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and we’re doing our bit to help the local area.

To find out more about how we are protecting your natural environment in Ayrshire please email ayrshireswater@scottishwater.co.uk or contact our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 quoting “Improving Ayrshire’s Water”.

Find out more about the EC directives and bathing water standards here (word doc)

Massive investment boost for Ayrshire

Scottish Water is to embark on a multi-million pound scheme to help protect coastal areas and rivers in parts of North, East and South Ayrshire in one of the biggest projects of its kind ever undertaken in Scotland.

The scheme, which is part of Scottish Water’s 2010 Vision for Ayrshire, will provide significant environmental benefits and help us to meet stringent EC directives and bathing water standards.

The level of investment will be detailed once planning options have been finalised, but Scottish Water can confirm that it will improve the quality of the bathing waters and natural environment of Irvine Bay, the River Irvine and burns and watercourses in the Kilmarnock area.

The scheme will comprise a number of projects, including the construction of new pipelines and pumping stations, which will transfer sewage flow to Meadowhead Waste Water Treatment Works near Irvine.

The areas which will benefit from the investment will include Irvine, Kilmarnock, Saltcoats, Troon, Barassie and Hurlford.

Investigation work is currently under way to identify the requirements of each project in the scheme and details will be provided as finalised plans are agreed.

Paul Maxwell, Scottish Water’s regional manager, said: "I am very pleased that Scottish Water is to invest in this scheme, which is one of the biggest of this kind we have ever undertaken. The work we will carry out will make significant improvements to the environment in key parts of Ayrshire."

Jim Roddy, a Project Manager for Scottish Water, said: “We are at the early design stage and are looking to deliver projects which will benefit communities and will help protect the natural environment, making it cleaner for everyone.

“This will benefit local residents who use the beach and rivers in the Irvine and Kilmarnock areas for recreational purposes and will also help make the areas more attractive to tourists and visitors, which can only help the local economy.

“Scottish Water takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and we are thinking ahead.”

An important part of the scheme will be the input and support of Scottish Water’s customers and we will therefore be introducing and presenting our plans over the next few months through a variety of channels to relevant stakeholders in the local community including local councillors, community councils and the media. We expect to start the scheme in early 2009.

Scottish Water’s 2010 Vision for Ayrshire is a programme of investment in all of our services throughout North, East and South Ayrshire, details of this will be announced soon.