Village homes lose water supplies

Residents lost their water supplies at least five times since Sunday

Residents of a small Highlands community have been suffering the hot weather with limited or no water supplies.

Following a 15-hour period without water less than a month ago, villagers in Inverinate have had constant disruption over the past few days.

Alan Campbell said his supply had gone off at least five times since Sunday.

A Scottish Water spokesman said the problems were due to a burst pipe and the blocking of a supply pipe.

Can you imagine what it's like not being able to flush the toilet in this weather? Alan Campbell Inverinate resident

Mr Campbell, 41, told BBC Scotland's news website that the situation had become unbearable.

"It's terrible in this heat not being able to have a shower," he said. "And can you imagine what it's like not being able to flush the toilet in this weather?

"Scottish Water told me the problem last month was due to a tank running dry due to blocked intake from the river, but on Sunday I was told the problem was due to a complex burst in the area.

"Then when I rang on Monday, I was told the problem was due to the pumps at the water treatment plant."

Mr Campbell also claimed that he and his neighbours had not received any bottled water.

He said that when he asked for some for his elderly neighbour he was told it could not be given out until the water had been off for a 12-hour period.

Peaty ground

A spokesman for Scottish Water said the main problems were with the intake pipe from the burn to the treatment works as the burn easily becomes silted up, leaving sediment in the pipe.

He added that the area was also prone to bursts due to the peaty ground.

"We are terribly sorry to customers who have been inconvenienced," he said. "We are doing our best to deal with the situation."

He added that bottled water was delivered to affected homes on Sunday, adding that if anyone did not receive any they were entitled to make a complaint.