Scope of the project
Scottish Water plans to build a new water treatment works at Glencorse, as part of the Edinburgh Drinking Water Project; a strategic programme of capital investment to build a new water treatment works (WTW) and replace ageing mains and storage tanks.
Our aim is to facilitate the city’s continued expansion and improve the quality of drinking water in Edinburgh. It will also allow us to provide 21st century water treatment facilities, to meet strict European guidelines on drinking water quality, which we have to deliver by 2010.
Alnwickhill WTW: This works which was built more than 100 years ago, supplies eastern parts of Edinburgh. Following the extreme weather in August 2004 and the subsequent impact on the storage reservoirs Alnwickhill has experienced increased raw water colour, which the current treatment process is unable to cope with. Due to the failures in the treatment, Scottish Water gave an undertaking to Scottish Ministers to carry our interim improvements at this works to reduce colour levels and deliver compliant water. Around £3.5 million was spent in our 2002-2006 investment programme and this is already delivering benefits. But it was always seen as an interim measure. Further upgrades are programmed for this investment period 2006-2010 to deal with colour and taste.
Fairmilehead Water Treatment Works: This water treatment works supplies water to customers in the centre and west of Edinburgh. Part of this works is more than 100 years old. The investment will provide extra protection against the cryptosporidium bug (to comply with the 2003 regulations on cryptosporidium) and address colour.
