More than £8.7m has been invested in Aberdeenshire by Scottish Water, it has been revealed.

A total of five projects have been carried out in the area which will not only help to protect the environment, but also allow more development to happen as more capacity in the waste water network has been provided.

The upgraded facilities currently serve more than 7,700 people throughout Aberdeenshire, and the utility provider has said this number is set to grow.

The investments include:

• A £3,572,000 refurbishment of the Huntly Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). This involved the construction of a new filter bed within the works. The project will benefit 5,000 people in the area and maintain high water quality of the River Bogie.

• A £1,052,000 refurbishment of the Torphins WWTW. Serving more than 1,300 people in the Torphins Village, as well as part of Sundayswells, the work will ensure the continuing protection of water quality and the environment around the Beltie Burn.

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• A £1,340,000 upgrade of Rothienorman WWTW. This will ensure the current standards continue to be met. The WWTW is now capable of treating additional flows to allow for local growth and development; and will also protect the water quality in the Red Burn.

• A £1,721,000 investment at Echt WWTW will address the demand for additional housing in the area. The project will see a new WWTW installed at Echt to replace the previous facility.

• A £1,034,000 initiative at Meikle Wartle will also address the demand for more housing. The WWTW will be retired and replaced by a new facility.

Commenting on the projects, Steve Scott, Regional Community Manager for Aberdeenshire, said: "This is another major investment from Scottish Water, which has been carried out to improve the treatment of waste water and help communities grow and thrive. All five works serve over 7,700 local people across Aberdeenshire and therefore it is vitally important they are maintained to a high standard.

"This essential work is part of the important maintenance and upgrades which ensure facilities like these are able to treat waste water and return it safely to the environment."

Dennis Robertson, MSP, added: "I welcome this investment to protect the natural environment in watercourses through Aberdeenshire and to support future development. The effective treatment of waste water plays a crucial part in the water quality of our burns and rivers.

"By providing extra capacity for new connections, Scottish Water are playing their part to facilitate development in Aberdeenshire and help communities grow and thrive."

The Huntly project was delivered by Scottish Water's delivery partner Expanded Ltd, while the Torphins and Rothienorman projects were delivered by Araon. The Echt and Meikle Wartle schemes were by George Leslie Ltd.

(JP/IT)