Clear benefit as water pipes are upgraded

Homes in Kilsyth, Banton and Balloch are set to receive fresher water after improvements to their supply pipes were recently finished.

Scottish Water have recently completed a stage of upgrades, costing an estimated £1.3million, which will see 1200 customers in Balloch, 1000 in Kilsyth, and 500 in Banton, benefit from clearer, fresher drinking water, following the major project.

Work started in November last year and at least 9000 homes in Balloch, Banton, Kilsyth and areas of Lenzie are now benefiting from the upgrading of a total of 24 miles of water mains - enough to stretch from Lenzie to Loch Lomond.

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Jim Hassan, Scottish Water’s water operations manager, said: “Scottish Water is pleased to have completed this very important investment in our infrastructure in these areas.

“Our customers in these areas receive water mainly from the Carron Valley water treatment works near Denny and sometimes from Balmore near Torrance.

“Improving the local distribution network of pipes which takes the water to customers’ taps means we are now helping to ensure that clearer, fresher drinking water will be supplied to people throughout these areas for years to come.”

The upgrade included 11.8 miles of pipe relining and 10 miles of pipe flushing. Relining involved the spraying of an epoxy resin into the existing pipe and flushing is a method of cleaning pipes using high water pressure to dislodge any build-up of sediment.

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The project resulted in some planned disruptions to water supply but Scottish Water say that every effort was made to minimise any inconvenience for customers.

Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water’s regional community manager, added: “Scottish Water would like to thank our customers in the affected areas for their patience and understanding while this important improvement work was carried out.

“Some disruption during important investment like this is unavoidable but we made every effort to minimise any inconvenience to customers and road users and we are sure that they will appreciate that any temporary inconvenience is far outweighed by the long-term benefits this investment will bring to the area.”

MSP Jamie Hepburn, was also pleased with the news of the completion and the upgraded service.

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He said: “This is welcome news from Scottish Water, and for everyone in Banton and Kilsyth.

“Scotland already has some of the best quality drinking water in Europe, and I hope this upgrade will keep standards high for the future.”

He added: “I’m especially pleased that this upgrade has come in the context of a continued freeze of water rates, and with the Scottish Government pledging to keep our national water company in public ownership.”