Work is underway on the construction of Scottish Water's new National Operations Centre and replacement Glasgow office accommodation.

Richard Ackroyd, Scottish Water's chief executive, formally marked the start of construction at the site of the state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the Buchanan Gate Business Park in Stepps, near Glasgow.

BAM Construction is building the facility - which will be designed to meet current and future business needs - and is expected to complete the project in the summer of 2013.

Mr Ackroyd said: "We have put a lot of work in to selecting the best site and contractor for this major project and we look forward to working with BAM on the design and build of what will be a superb facility.

"This NOC will host substantial investment in enhanced technology and this will enable us to improve the service and value we provide to our customers throughout Scotland, reducing supply issues and providing faster responses.

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"Scottish Water continues to make the rapid progress that has made us one of the country's real success stories - an efficient, well-run business delivering clear benefits for our customers and the Scottish economy."

The new facility will be a purpose-built, energy-efficient, low-carbon office environment for our staff. It will be a three-storey, 7300 square metre building located on the north east outskirts of Greater Glasgow, close to the motorway network.

It will also feature a biomass boiler, thermal water heating and photovoltaic panels - which utilises renewable energy to provide heating, hot water and electricity from wood pellets and sunlight.

BAM Scotland's regional director Ken Irving said: "Initially we will be constructing the foundations for the building and major earthworks will take place to form a level surface for the car park. As part of our recycling targets, all the 30,000 cubic square metres of earth will remain on the site rather than being removed. This will greatly reduce construction traffic on the local roads.

"We are delighted to be working with Scottish Water on their new leading-edge facility. As the site is adjacent to our own offices we also look forward to welcoming them as neighbours once the building has been completed."

The new facility will replace Scottish Water's current Glasgow offices at Balmore Road in the Possilpark area of the city, which are unsuitable for future business needs.

(GK)