Restrictions on use of water introduced

People in Stirling were 100 years ago facing another problem to add to the many caused by the war.

A prolonged dry period prompted fears of a water shortage.

And the town’s water commissioners were so worried about levels in the reservoirs at Touch Moor they announce that supplies would be cut off each evening between 6pm and 5.30am next day.

While there had been some rain in the fortnight leading up to the imposition of the ban, it had not been enough to allay concerns .

And the commissioners said the reservoirs’capacity at that time would provide only 47 days’supply although the new overnight restriction would add 11 days to that figure.

That was considered a “very narrow margin”given that there was likely to be further dry weather to come.

The paper called on all citizens to“do everything in their power” to conserve the supply and prevent waste.

It was, said the Observer, 13 years since reservoir levels were so low. On August 17, 1905, there was only 44 days’ supply at Touch and no reserves available from elsewhere. However, eight days of heavy rain rapidly remedied that problem.

In 1911 and 1914, there were periods of“great scarcity”during the month of October but a shortage at that time of year was not viewed with the same anxiety as rain – and lots of it – was usually imminent.

On October 10, 1911, there was only 21 days restricted supply in the reservoirs at Touch and on October 19, 1914, supplies were down to 17 days. In both instances“copious rains” came and the reservoirs rapidly filled.

* Elesewhere in the paper, the Observer revealed that some parts of the burgh – whose supply came from the Grangemouth main – would escape the restrictions. Enjoying a full supply of water “night and day”were the residents of St Ninians, Newhouse,Terraces,Snowdon Place and the Victoria Square district.