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Wednesday, December 17, 1997 Published at 11:14 GMT



UK

Glasgow water gets all-clear
image: [ More than 50,000 Glaswegians were without water for a week ]
More than 50,000 Glaswegians were without water for a week

West of Scotland Water has lifted all emergency restrictions on supplies to households in Glasgow after a diesel contamination.

The final areas affected by a spillage in the north-west of the city were given the all-clear from the authority on Wednesday.

But some customers were warned of delays in getting supplies back to normal. They were told to use water sparingly.

The move comes a week after thousands of householders in parts of Glasgow complained that their water tasted and smelt of turpentine.

The water company undertook a massive operation to restore clean supplies to 54,000 people who were forced to obtain drinking water from emergency tanks.

Water in all areas of Milngavie, Bearsden, Clydebank and Old Kilpatrick is now safe for drinking, bathing and washing.

Chief executive of West of Scotland Water, Ernie Chambers, who was criticised for not cutting short his holiday to the Maldives during the scare, said: "This has been a difficult time for over 54,000 of our customers.

"I can only apologise for the inconvenience they have faced over the last six days."

West of Scotland Water will continue to monitor the situation in the event of slight traces of taste and odour persisting in the supply.

Shortly after the contamination was made public, it was revealed the company delayed for several hours before warning residents of the leak and its potential health risks.

Now the Scottish Office has ordered a full investigation into the company's handling of the alert.

Mr Chambers added: "We shall fully investigate the cause of this incident and will endeavour to ensure that any improvements that can be made to our operating procedures are made for the future."
 





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