Water, water everywhere but supplies are cut off

Published on Sunday 5 November 2006 00:52

HOUSEHOLDERS in the Western Isles have had their water shut off because it is raining too much.

"The wrong kind of downpours" have softened the ground so much that pipes are slipping their connections and leaking water instead of supplying it to 800 houses, schools and businesses.

The shortage is all the more galling because crofting villages on the west side of Lewis have had to endure an October which was 25% wetter than usual, with almost seven inches of rain.

The problems have led to schools being closed due to a lack of water. Meanwhile, families have had to endure supply problems while gazing out of their windows at heavy showers.

One resident, Anne MacLeod, said: "It's been a really wet month, which makes it all the more odd that the water is off. You could understand it in summer. But it's very strange to happen after all this rain. There's no water coming from the tap, but it's raining outside."

Local MP Angus MacNeil said: "In some areas the water goes off for a few hours each day and in another area the water pressure is very low.

"This is very disheartening for households in the affected areas.

"I know Scottish Water in Lewis are working hard to repair these problems but we need to know why they are happening so often."

A spokesman for Scottish Water said: "The interruptions were caused by successive operational problems, including power failures and air pockets trapped in water mains, and compounded by recent heavy rainfall, which softens the ground around water mains causing them to move and break at their weakest points.

"Scottish Water appreciates the inconvenience experienced by customers and is looking into various ways to improve their supply network."

Calum Mackenzie, Scottish Water's Western Isles coordinator, added: "We are looking at installing more valves in the system so that we can isolate areas better and keep affected areas smaller."