£4.1M boost for shellfish waters of loch leurbost

The important shellfish waters of Loch Leurbost in the Western Isles have received a major boost with completion of a £4.1million Scottish Water project.

In the past sewage from the area was treated in septic tanks with a final effluent discharged straight into the loch, which has extensive shellfish production over much of its length.

Scottish Water’s investment means a better quality discharge into the less sensitive waters of Loch Erisort.

In total 4 kilometres of new sewer pipes were laid and three pumping stations were constructed at Leurbost West, Leurbost East and Crosbost.

The new system means the treated effluent is sent through a specially-drilled pipe route under Loch Leurbost and across the Cnoc nan Loagh peninsula before being dispersed into deep water at the mouth of Loch Erisort.

Project Manager Graeme Campbell of Scottish Water Solutions said: “The previous situation didn’t meet modern standards. We’re delighted to have delivered this major investment which will help protect the environment of Lewis and support the shellfish industry, a vital part of the islands’ economy. We used a directional drilling method for the sub-sea bed crossing of Loch Leurbost to avoid disturbing the shellfish waters.”

Work, which began in October 2007, involved laying sewer pipes through numerous people’s land.

Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water’s Communities Manager for the Western Isles, said: “Completion of this investment is excellent news for the environment and economy of the area. Local landowners and the community were extremely co-operative and patient during the work and we’d like to thank them for that. The new scheme will be of major long-term benefit.”

The Leurbost project is part of Scottish Water’s 2010 Vision for the Western Isles, a campaign of improvements worth around £60million, benefiting drinking water supplies, the environment and economic development. The investments are also providing a major boost for island contractors and the economy.

Since Scottish Water launched in 2002 it has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in the Highlands and Islands, transforming the water infrastructure of the region, while helping reduce and stabilise household charges. The average household water bill remains below £1 a day.

Scottish Water will continue to invest in the Western Isles. The public utility’s economic regulator the Water Industry Commission has already indicated that future investment will be less about new plants and more about maintenance. Scottish Water will also be expected to achieve further efficiencies – in its first four years it saved its customers £1billion.