Work on Scottish Water's £38 million investment project to enhance water network resilience between Peterhead and Ellon is progressing faster than anticipated, with 12 kilometres of new trunk water main already laid.

This marks significant advancement on the planned 7.5km for this phase, attributed to favourable weather conditions.

The extensive project involves replacing approximately 23 kilometres of a trunk water main originally installed in 1973. This upgrade is crucial for ensuring a reliable supply of fresh, clear drinking water to customers and reducing the risk of pipe bursts.


Commencing in September 2024, this phase of the project is expected to span around two years, with a total of 18 kilometres of pipe due for replacement. The accelerated progress has allowed some land to be returned to farmers earlier than initially projected, enabling them to resume agricultural activities.

The construction employs six directional drill crossings, a method designed to minimise disruption to the local community compared to traditional open-cut excavation. These crossings include three under existing infrastructure pipelines, one beneath the Water of Cruden, and two under the A90 road.

The project is being delivered for Scottish Water by Caledonia Water Alliance and AG Wilson.

Craig Littlewood, Project Manager for Scottish Water, commented: "We're really pleased with the progress made on the project so far. I'd like to thank our customers and the local community for their continued patience and understanding while we carry out this essential work."