Tankers and bottled water sent to Scourie after fault leaves residents without supply
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Residents in Scourie await the outcome of a Scottish Water emergency meeting to address a fault that has left the north-west Sutherland village without water.
Properties in the village have been reporting a loss of supply since Tuesday, with residents living at higher altitudes among the worst affected – some having been without water for two days.
It is believed that an initial fault, reported on Tuesday, had been resolved – but a further loss of supply experienced yesterday has left homes and businesses in the area without water.
Residents say they have been advised that Scottish Water are holding an emergency meeting to address the problem.
Earlier this morning, North-West Sutherland Schools and Highland Council confirmed that Scourie Primary and Scourie Primary School would be closed while they await a resolution.
Peter Tuck, who lives on Scouriemore, says that the entire village is now without supply.
He said: "This morning the whole village woke up to no water to make a drink, no water to clean teeth, wash hands, or flush the toilet.
"The problem started on Tuesday when the water went off on Scouriemore. We are at the higher altitude and typically lose water first. This is the sixth time in the last 12 months we have lost supply. We've been without toilets and running water for three days now. The pressure did return on Tuesday, and on Wednesday it was okay, but yesterday it cut out again.
"The only solution they are offering at the moment is to tanker in water. There are two tankers now parked up at the school pumping water into the system, but it's not enough. They have had tankers overnight filling the system with water, but at 4am this morning someone at the lower part of the village was without water, so it obviously wasn't working.
"The whole village is now without water. The hotels haven't got water. The campsite has no water for toilets, and you can imagine what that is like. The schools are closed too, which puts added pressure on parents."
Mr Tuck confirmed that Scottish Water has provided bottled water to residents.
He added: "There are a lot of elderly people in the area who might not manage to carry bottled water. Scottish Water should be delivering water to people in the area."
Scottish Water has been contacted for comment.
