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E. coli found; Scottish Water piped contaminated water for a year
21 Dec
Summary
- Scottish Water supplied water contaminated with E. coli for nearly a year.
- Thousands of homes received water from a reservoir with deadly bugs.
- Watchdogs warned of 'danger to human health' with suspect water tanks.
Scottish Water has faced severe criticism for supplying water contaminated with E. coli for nearly a year, putting public health at risk. Tests in late 2024 detected the deadly bacteria in a reservoir supplying Burghead, yet the company continued piping from it until July. This occurred despite a prior warning from watchdogs in 2023, who identified nearly 1,300 treated water storage points as a 'danger to human health'.
Locals in Burghead are demanding explanations, with community council representatives expressing anger and concern over the lack of notification and the potential health risks. The Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) had ordered an emergency clean-up of these storage facilities, which often hold tens of thousands of litres of water. Animal remains and coliforms were among previous findings in other storage tanks across Scotland.
Regulator David Reynolds concluded that leaving the affected reservoir in service posed a 'clear risk to public health.' While Scottish Water has since inspected and cleaned many of its storage points, it remains unable to confirm the exact number fully operational. The company stated that the Clarklyhill tank was repaired, tested, and then removed again for further analysis after a subsequent test failed.
