As parts of the north of Scotland recently experienced their coldest temperatures in 25 years, Scottish Water’s water operations team faced a battle to keep water flowing for communities in the Western Isles and parts of the north-west Highlands.
With intakes from supply lochs starting to freeze up after sustained sub-zero temperatures, Scottish Water called on the help of professional divers, more used to working in seawater to inspect and maintain salmon cages and feed barges, than working around the clock in icy inland lochs.
The biggest challenge was faced by Benbecula-based NDUS at Lochmaddy in North Uist, where two dive teams maintained a constant watch for over 48 hours. Only then was there confidence that stable supply of water from Loch Fada to Lochmaddy Water Treatment Works had been restored.
NDUS’ Mark MacInnes said: “We had been called out to the Water Treatment Works after returning from another job on Thursday evening, but we checked everything at that time and the pumping station was operating okay. We had said we would come back out at any time if our help was needed and we got a call at 2am.
“Usually it’s seawater we’re working in, so the temperatures don’t go much below around 6 degrees Celsius, even in winter. The water temperature in Loch Fada overnight was down between -3 and -4 degrees Celsius.
“We only had about four inches of visibility in the loch during the daytime, and even less at night, so we had to find and clear the intakes using our hands – but you lose a lot of feeling and dexterity at that kind of temperature which makes it harder.”
With the divers keeping the intake clear, Scottish Water’s team worked to maximise production of drinking water at the site, brought in extra supplies by road tanker and overcame challenges at neighbouring Water Treatment Works in South Uist and Benbecula, where NDUS also provided support.
Scottish Water’s Water Operations Team Leader Peter MacNab said: “The situation we faced was a real test for our dedicated local team. The duration and the extent of the challenges we faced across the islands called for a marathon effort. The commitment of our people to the essential role we play, and to finding solutions under pressure, was critical to success over four very long days and nights.
“When we most needed it, we couldn’t have asked for stronger support from so many local businesses and partner organisations. I particularly want to recognise the extraordinary effort of the divers from NDUS to get the water flowing again for our customers.”
