The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Holyrood to hear petition on fears over water supply
Residents to give evidence
A petition signed by Strathspey and Badenoch residents who have been complaining for years about their water supply will be heard in the Scottish Parliament this week.
Signed by 157 local people, the petition calls on the Scottish Government to review the role of the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR), and commission independent research into the safety of chloramination of drinking water.
It will be heard at the public petitions committee on Thursday where organiser, Caroline Hayes, and other residents will be able to give evidence.
They maintain their water changed since Scottish Water opened a multimillion-pound treatment works in Aviemore back in 2012. Water supplying the area now comes from an underground aquifer and residents have been complaining since about the taste and smell.
The chloramination process – where both chlorine and small amounts of ammonia are added to the water – was completed at the Aviemore works at the beginning of April.
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “Chloramination is a tried and tested way of treating water which is used by over one million customers across Scotland.”
But residents claim this has made no difference.
Erin McBean said: “It is so bad that we can’t drink it – especially when it is boiled. My baby refuses to take formula made with the water.
“Ironically, I work a mile away from my house and the water is fine there and comes from the same source. It seems that there are pockets and Scottish Water has installed flushes, but no further details as to why or how have been given.
“I feel completely hopeless and am resigned to buying water.”
Local MSP Kate Forbes, who will be attending the committee at Holyrood this week, has already raised the issue with Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet secretary for the environment. Ms Forbes said: “It is clear that we need expert opinion on this issue, but the petitioners will be able to raise their concerns on a national stage on Thursday and the committee will suggest the next steps.”