Scottish Water is to make major improvements to the water infrastructure on Mull to allow for growth on the island and provide security of supply.

The company has confirmed that it will invest several million pounds to upgrade its infrastructure in the Tobermory, Craignure and Salen areas.

For several years parts of Mull have suffered from an inconsistent water supply and – over the summer months – have received their water by road tanker.

The investment news was welcomed by Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Argyll and Bute Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson and chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee.

“This is fantastic news for the people of Mull, who have coped admirably with a difficult situation for some time,” he said.

“It’s a prime example of what can be achieved by everyone working together. The community has campaigned tirelessly to see improvements to the water infrastructure on the island, and Scottish Water has now agreed to make a major investment which will transform the provision for a significant proportion of the Mull population.

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“I congratulate all those who have campaigned so effectively - in particular Councillor Mary-Jean Devon, Fiona Brown and the community council. Their efforts have now been rewarded and we all look forward to Scottish Water making a start on the improvements as soon as possible.”

Scottish Water has committed funding for a strategic solution linking the water treatment works(WTW) at Tobermory and Craignure.

It will involve the enlargement of the Tobermory WTW, a link main between Salen and Craignure and the abandonment of the existing Craignure WTW.

It will be sized to accommodate all currently projected growth on the island to 2020 as a minimum.

If all goes well, the improvements will be completed in the summer of 2013.

Scottish Water has said it is looking at an interim solution to allow connections to start between now and 2013. The company is still in the early stages of discussions with relevant utilities and statutory bodies and a positive outcome to these will be a key enabler for the project to progress.

Meanwhile it has pledged to continue to work to ensure that all customers and visitors are able to enjoy a continuous supply of clear, fresh drinking water.

Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water’s regional community manager, said: “Scottish Water is delighted to be able to confirm that we will be making these substantial improvements to our infrastructure on Mull, which will benefit the island for many years to come.”

(GK)