A £1.8m project to upgrade Stornoway water treatment works is nearing completion, with an improved water treatment process due to enter service soon. 

Scottish Water’s in-house capital project delivery team has been working with lead contractor RSE (Ross-shire Engineering) to deliver the work, which includes changing over to the chloramination water treatment system.

Stornoway water treatment works draws water from Loch Mor an Stairr and supplies the majority of customers in Stornoway and Point.

Treating the water using chloramination provides long-lasting protection within the water network, removing the potential need for additional treatment before water reaches taps and reducing the taste or odour of chlorine from their water.

The change to chloramination has already been made on the west side of Stornoway, while Back and Tolsta already receive chloraminated water from North Lochs water treatment works, by Loch Orasaigh.

Scottish Water’s project manager Andy Barnett said: “The investment we have made will play an important part in ensuring that Stornoway water treatment works can continue to provide customers with a reliable supply of clear, fresh and high-quality drinking water for the years ahead.

“Our team has worked hard to deliver improvements within a complex site, which has had to continue serving its essential purpose throughout. Over the weeks ahead, our focus will be on ensuring a smooth and successful transition to the improved water treatment process.”

The picture shows children from Sgoil a’Bhac at the switch-on of Stornoway’s public top-up tap in 2019 (Scottish Water).