Water war waged by Badenoch and Strathspey green campaigner
Pippa Hadley took the Green fight to the streets of Newtonmore on Saturday.
In her bid to become the conservationists’ councillor for Badenoch and Strathspey, she was accompanied by local Green Party MSP John Finnie and a number of dedicated supporters who braved rain, hail and sleet to promote her cause.
But it wasn’t the water falling from the sky which was her main concern: it’s the water rising from the deep.
One of her key messages is her commitment for better water quality in the strath, having heard from many voters on the subject.
Controversy has raged in the area since the supply was changed from Loch Einach in the hills to boreholes at Kinakyle, underneath Aviemore, some four years ago.
“Badenoch and Strathspey formerly had some of the best drinking water in Scotland” said Ms Hadley, “but our soft and delicious water has been replaced by a chemical-tainted subterranean supply.
“This is not only unpleasant to drink, it is causing problems for our health and even our household appliances.
“Scottish Water has failed to address these issues and is now intent on adding ammonia to the existing chlorine and calling it an improvement.”
She pledged: “I will push for this to be taken further as Scottish Water is accountable to the Scottish Government for the product and service they provide.”
The Scottish council elections take place on Thursday, May 4.
To vote, electors must be registered and this can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The deadline for registration is April 17.
Scottish Water is holding a drop-in session this afternoon (Monday, March 20) at Aviemore Community Centre, with a public meeting to follow tonight from 7.30pm.
From the start Scottish Water has insisted that the new process of chloramination will render the water supply a better taste and quality.