HUNDREDS of people across Berwickshire are being advised not to drink tap water after a “serious situation” with supply was identified.
A fault was discovered at Rawburn Water Treatment Works in Burnmouth which resulted in drinking water quality for the area falling below its “normally high standard”.
Bottled water is being delivered to homes in the TD11 postcode area, which covers an area around Longformacus, Preston and Duns after the alarm was raised on Tuesday afternoon, August 26.
Around 275 properties served by Rawburn Water Treatment Works have been left without water while emergency repairs are carried out.
East Berwickshire Independent councillor James Anderson said: “We have a serious situation with our water supply across the region at the moment.
“It is all hands on deck at Scottish Water and last report was they are asking for volunteers around the Chirnside area to deliver water to people.
“Water has been cut off across Chirnside and other villages as they work on the problem.
“Obviously this is a very concerning situation, however Scottish Water are working on the problem and we hope for an update soon.”
In a notice to customers, posted today, Wednesday, August 27, a Scottish Water spokesperson said: “In the early afternoon of Tuesday 26th August, our teams isolated a storage tank and Rawburn Water Treatment Works (WTW) whist we undertook investigations.
“Our investigations at Rawburn Water Treatment Works identified a damaged section of water main impacting on our treatment processes.
“Our teams worked through the night to install overland supply pipes here to bypass this section of damaged water main, along with cleaning of our water tanks, and are now in the process of restarting our treatment works and processes to restore water supplies.
“Throughout yesterday evening our teams went door to door of the 275 properties affected, providing bottled water and precautionary notification DO NOT use letters and leaflets for drinking or cooking.”
As a precaution, water chiefs are asking all customers in the affected areas not to use their tap water for: Drinking; cleaning teeth; preparing baby feeds and disinfecting equipment; preparing foods (including ice cubes and salads); pet food and drink; and washing open wounds
But it says it can still be used for: Bathing, showering and washing (except for open wounds); washing dishes; washing clothes; and flushing toilets.
