Scottish Water is holding an information event in Gairloch later today to update members of the local community on proposals for the future of the Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) that serves the area.
In April, Scottish Water withdrew an application to amend its discharge licence at Gairloch to allow further discussion to take place via a Stakeholder Group, in order to build a shared understanding of the issues and identify an acceptable solution.
Scottish Water’s team will report back on the progress that has been made in collaboration with the Stakeholder Group over the summer – and the basis of an agreement now to move forward.
Following completion of an independent technical review of the technology currently in place at Gairloch WWTW and the options for the future, it has been agreed that Scottish Water should proceed with installing a new treatment process made up of septic tanks, disc filters and ultra-violet (UV) treatment.
The water company has agreed that it will operate the new treatment process throughout the year for an initial 2 year pilot period, but will then seek to provide treatment without UV for an agreed period in the second winter.
This will allow both Scottish Water and other stakeholders to understand the relative environmental benefit of providing additional treatment outside the designated bathing water season. At the end of the pilot period, Scottish Water will work with the Stakeholder Group to agree long term operating arrangements based on the evidence obtained.
Scottish Water’s Head of Corporate Relations Alan Thomson said:
“Earlier this year, we recognised that we had not succeeded in addressing the concerns held by many of our customers in Gairloch about proposed changes to waste water treatment in their area.
“In light of this, we felt it was right that we should review our plans and seek to establish a closer and more constructive dialogue with local stakeholders.
“I would like to thank representatives of Gairloch Community Council, Highland Council and SEPA for their willingness to engage with us over recent months. As a result, we have been able to review the issues facing the existing plant at Gairloch and the options for the future in detail.
“Our key goal is to find a reliable and sustainable solution that will serve our customers in Gairloch for the long term, reduce the risk of pollution and ensure the excellent status of Gairloch’s bathing waters is maintained. The approach we have identified via the Stakeholder Group will allow us to do this in partnership with the community, while building a strong body of evidence to guide future operation of the site.”
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