Concerns over new tap water in Badenoch and Strathspey
Scottish Water has said that complaints from some residents about the ‘poor’ quality of drinking water are down to teething problems to be expected after their new £24 million water supply system in Aviemore went on stream.
The new water treatment plant at Kinakyle is now supplying drinking water to 10,000 people and businesses from Newtonmore through Kingussie and Aviemore to Grantown and Cromdale.
However, there have been concerns about the water quality within the first two weeks of the new supply being switched on.
The water is now being taken from a massive underground reservoir using boreholes rather than Loch Einich in the Cairngorms.
Most of the complaints have come from residents in the Myrtlefield area of Aviemore.
Amongst their concerns are:
• an excessive chlorine smell;
• the water appears harder than previously and does not lather easily;
• when making tea the water turns black instantly; and
• tea and coffee taste differently.
A spokesman for Scottish Water confirmed that the new water treatment works (WTW) was now being used.
He said: "It is not uncommon to get some complaints of this nature when a different source of water is introduced to the local network.
"We expected that we would have some customers querying the taste of the water when the new works went live. We are monitoring and managing this issue and will look to continually optimise chlorine levels.
"We have already slightly reduced chlorine dosing since the WTW came on line, based on the monitoring we are undertaking in the water supply zone."
Aviemore Community Council said they had received a number of reports from locals concerned about their drinking water, and there are also similar posts on Facebook.
Mr Bill Lobban, vice-chairman of the watchdog, said: "This is a problem which is causing concern among a large number of local people and Scottish Water should take these concerns very seriously.
"When the new borehole supply was announced we were promised water of the same quality as the old Loch Einich supply.
"This is clearly not the case.
"Many people are complaining about the extremely high levels of chlorine and in particular about the effect the new supply is having on hot drinks like tea and coffee.
"Scottish Water needs to come clean regarding the exact differences in the water quality and attempt to rectify the situation if possible."
Strathy Facebook follower Lisa Duffus said: "I called Scottish Water to complain and they are sending someone out on Thursday to test my water. Fingers crossed that something might be done about it."
The company said that the teething problems should settle down soon, and pointed out that a huge investment had been made by them which would have major spin-offs for the strath.
Mr Simon Harrison, Scottish Water Operations Manager, said: "It’s great to see the new works going into supply. It will benefit our customers in many ways.
"By using boreholes rather than a remote mountain loch as our source we can access and maintain the supply more easily, increase the capacity available to support economic growth and protect the sensitive Cairngorms environment."
The project has been delivered by Scottish Water Solutions with construction firm Black and Veatch.
Building work at Kinakyle began in March 2010 and at its peak 70 people were working on site.
A formal public opening of the £24 million facility is being planned for the spring.
The new water supply comes from a vast natural aquifer contained within the gravel bedrock laid down from the last glacial age beneath the River Spey at Kinakyle.
Four boreholes between 30 metres and 40 metres deep are bringing the water to the surface at the plant.
Water bosses said prior to the opening that there should not be much of a change in the taste of the water.
Angling interests had campaigned against the project claiming that the Spey – a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which is home to Atlantic salmon, lamprey and freshwater oysters – could be harmed.
