Scottish Water’s new state of the art £130 million Glencorse Water Treatment Works supplying 450,000 customers across Edinburgh and Midlothian went into service today.

Designed and constructed by Black & Veatch, the works were delivered on schedule and under budget.

Alex Neil, the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, lauded the impact the new works will have as he switched on the tap at Scottish Water’s new Glencorse Water Treatment Works.

Mr Neil said:

“The Glencorse Water Project has been a feat of outstanding engineering, delivering a 21st century water treatment works fit for Scotland's inspiring capital. The construction has also drawn global attention and won many prestigious accolades.

“This type of project not only makes a real difference to customers, it has helped keep investment flowing into our economy. Scottish Water’s overall £500 million programme is supporting jobs and boosting growth right across this country.

“Against this background of investment in our economy, Scottish Water froze water charges again this year, achieving the lowest average household bills across Great Britain. That will be of real benefit to customers in these tough economic times and underlines the benefits of retaining Scottish Water in the public sector.

“As we prepare to make decisions about our nation’s future in a referendum in autumn 2014, our vision of Scotland as a hydro nation will play a key part in our plans to develop a low carbon economy, boost growth and create jobs.”

The new site completes Scottish Water’s major water infrastructure investment for Edinburgh and the Lothians to deliver high quality water.

The facility in the Pentland Hills has been described as a feat of environmental engineering, boasting Scotland's largest 'grass' roof. A third of the works power needs will be supplied by a hydro turbine which will be generated by the force of the incoming raw water supply, itself gravity fed from reservoirs in the Borders