Wick water network to get £4m upgrade
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A £4 million project to renew a significant part of Wick’s water network will get underway next week.
The 12-month project will see around 15km of water pipes replaced throughout the town, with cleaning of a further 25km also being carried out by flushing water through the system. The work is being delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.
Phased work will start at the airport industrial estate from Monday, September 6 for around five weeks, while a parallel phase will also get underway from September 13, on Kennedy Terrace.
This initial section of the project will progress on a rolling programme over the next four months, with work focusing on Kennedy Terrace, Harrow Hill; Cairndhuna Terrace; Old Wick Road; Albert Street; Macrae Street; Harrowhill Street; Rutherford Street; Barrogill Street; Huddart Street; Smith Terrace; and Kinnaird Street.
From around October through until early in the new year, work will then take place in Ackergill Crescent, Dunnett Avenue, Green Road, Robert Street, Miller Avenue, George Street, Henrietta Street, Coach Road and Henrietta Terrace.
Project manager Steven Duncan said: “The renewal work will be a combination of open cut replacement and slip lining techniques which will help us to keep the disruption to customers and road users to a minimum.
“Traffic management will be in place to allow us to carry the work out safely and advance warning signage will be on display. We will be in touch with any customers who might be affected by access restrictions and would like to thank them and other road users for their patience while the project is ongoing.
“In the course of renewing the water mains and reconnecting customers’ homes, short interruptions to normal water supply will need to take place. Where customers are affected by this, they will be notified in advance with details of the date and time of planned work and advice about what to do.”
Gavin Steel, corporate affairs manager at Scottish Water, said: “This is a significant investment which will mean we can continue to provide clear, fresh drinking water to our customers in Wick well into the future.
“Our team on site will be on hand to answer any questions customers might have. We aim to do as much as we can to minimise short term disruption while this essential work takes place, while delivering long term benefits for the town’s water supply.”
In order to complete the renewal of the water network and transfer customer supplies, short planned supply interruptions will be required. Customers will receive notice with specific details at least 48 hours in advance.
Any customers who might need additional help or support during any planned interruption to their water supply - due to a disability, medical condition or for any other reason - can register their details on Scottish Water’s confidential Priority Service Register by calling 0800 077 8778 or online at www.scottishwater.co.uk
