Divers called in to clear ice from Kinlochbervie water supply

Scottish Water had to call in a team of divers to north west Sutherland last week after freezing weather conditions led to ice forming over an intake and blocking a community's local water supply.

Around 200 households at Kinlochbervie were left without water when the local reservoir Loch na Claise Carnaich was affected by the plummeting temperatures.

A Scottish Water spokesman said: "A team of divers worked in the freezing waters of Loch na Claise Carnaich to clear an intake of ice and bring the local water treatment works in the area, back into production."

The situation was mirrored in other areas of the country with Scottish Water staff working round the clock to keep water supplies to customers running and the waste water network operating normally.

The spokesman said: "Our teams have been out breaking ice at intakes in other areas such as the Western Isles, Skye and Lochaber and where the ice has been too thick to break, using tankers to bring additional water in and maintain normal supplies.

"Heavy snowfall has also created challenging issues in accessing a number of water treatment works, some in very remote locations and contractors have had to clear access roads."

The utility is reminding householders and businesses to ensure water pipes at their property are protected during the winter to prevent burst pipes and flooding in freezing temperatures.

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