Ownership of a Fife reservoir has been transferred to the local community under the first ‘right to buy’ initiative of its kind in Scotland.

 The people of Newburgh and surrounding area have overwhelmingly backed a proposal to take ownership of Lochmill Reservoir, which was formerly used by Scottish Water as the area’s main source of drinking water. This is the first time that a Scottish Water reservoir has been transferred to community ownership.

 The reservoir, constructed in 1951 and with a capacity of 363,000m3, has been acquired by the Newburgh Community Trust (NCT). With support from the Community Land Fund, the agreement under the right to buy legislation means that the local community will gain responsibility and take control of the reservoir.

Since it was decommissioned in 2007, the community has instead been served by Lomond Hills Water Treatment Works.

 Steve Scott, Scottish Water’s Community Team Manager for Fife, said:

 “We’re really pleased that we’ve reached an agreement for the Newburgh Community Trust to acquire the reservoir under right to buy legislation. Significantly, it’s the first initiative of its kind involving a Scottish Water reservoir. It means the local community will be able to enjoy the area around the reservoir for many years to come.”

A dedicated team from the NCT will have responsibility for the reservoir and there are ambitions to create a new, informal pathway.

Lochmill Reservoir was formed in 1951 by the raising of a natural loch. The earth embankment is approximately 4.3m high and 73m long and was constructed across the Bow Burn about 100m downstream of the natural loch outlet. The reservoir was built by the direct labour organisation of East of Scotland Water Board.