Readers of this diary who know the rainfall statistics for the area may not believe that Kilchoan is short of water, but the situation is so serious that Scottish Water is expanding the existing plant which serves Kilchoan, Ormsaigmore and Ormsaigbeg.
Our water treatment plant is isn't very old, having been installed about ten years ago, along with bright blue plastic distribution pipes to replace the old lead pipes. While we were pleased to see the lead go, the old water was far more pleasant to drink, and often came out of the taps a delicate shade of bog-brown. It was fun having a bath: one could imagine one was soaking in whisky.
Rumour has it that the water is being pumped up to the new plant from the bridge by the Fire Station and Telephone Exchange. This doesn't seem entirely logical since this is downstream on the same burn, the
Abhainn Chro Bheinn, that serves the existing plant. The arrangement will also require additional electricity, and the village has unhappy memories of the last prolonged power cut, last December, when our water, for lack of a generator, went off as well.
As with all these modern works, the job is costing millions and the contractors will be here for years. Only last Tuesday three large lorries arrived loaded with what looked like a complete mobile village - the office and other accommodation portacabins for the workers. Not that we're complaining. The workers spend money in the local shops and hotels, and it's heartening to see a utility company taking care of us, and investing large sums of money, without our having to fight for it.
Many thanks to Kilchoan Early Bird for the pictures.
As far as I can gather;
ReplyDeleteScottish Water are aiming to reduce the amount of chlorine being put in the Kichoan water supply. Apparently at the moment they have to put a very high dose of chorine in the supply or it is not passing the safe drinking water tests.
In order to do that they require a better fillteration system.
Ross shire engineering won the contract to build a mono membrane filter system.
It is being built up North.
Due to the size of the unit it is being floated by barge to Kilchoan pier and put up on the base they are building beside the existing water treatment plant on the hill.
They are also building a small damn on the Millburn beside the county garage. They are then going to pump the water back up to the tanks on the hill.
i was asking them if they were putting in a generator to cover the pump during power cuts but neither Ross Shire Engineering or RJ MacLeods who are the subbies, know the answer.
Presumably Scottish Water have already got that covered.
They have booked their accommodation for 26 weeks at the moment.
The above is just my own grasp of the work being carried out after speaking to the guys! Helen.
Helen,can you not persuade them to make a wee diversion to Sonachan & Achosnich?
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