Scottish Water is about to start work on the construction of a brand new water treatment plant to supply around 1,000 people as part major improvements to the water treatment and supply network on the island of Whalsay.
The £5.4 million plant will replace the existing water treatment plant on the island, which is situated east of Shetland mainland.
The project also includes the building of a new pumping station next to the existing one on the banks of Loch Huxter and construction of a new 700 metre water main through rural land to the new plant.
Planning permission for all work has been granted by the council.
The hi-tech new filtration plant will add a vital new level of treatment to the local supply, augmenting the existing treatment.
David Kitching, Senior Project Manager with Scottish Water, said:
“The nano-filtration membrane plant is the most up to date technology which provides a high level of filtration, treatment and control to the water. This modern treatment works is the best in class and comes after an exhaustive design and planning process. It will give new levels of quality and resilience of supply for the people it serves and will secure the quality of water supply in the area for the next 20 or 30 years at least.”
Work involves construction of a new water treatment works next to the existing treatment works located to the West of Loch Huxter. The project also includes construction of a new pumping station next to the existing pumping station located on the banks of Loch Huxter and a new 700m raw water main from here through rural land to the new works.
A new outfall pipe will also be constructed northwards from the new treatment works through rural land to the local burn.
Scottish Water contractor Ross-shire Engineering will be carrying out the work which will take around 10 months in total - the main works will start on 29th August.
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