Scottish Water has set details of the impacts to its network and operational processes caused by Storm Eowyn and the work required to ensure water and waste water services continued to operate as normal wherever possible.

Photo: Fallen tree on Eredine Water Treatment Works during Storm Eowyn

Dealing with the impacts of the extreme weather saw 400 staff engaged in the response and recovery effort - ranging from operators working at remote sites and in the field, to customer service staff responding to calls and messages, and laboratory teams maintaining essential sampling activity.

They were supported by many more from Scottish Water’s supply chain partners

Loss of normal power was a particular issue - 112 Water Treatment Works (WTW) were transferred to generator power to maintain the safe production of drinking water for well over 2 million customers across the country –almost half of all the company’s WTWs.

In addition, at 835 sites normal mains power was lost across Scotland and normal telecommunications connectivity was interrupted at 1057 sites.

Some 225 electrical and mechanical engineers worked to maintain and restore operation – more than 12 times the usual number, while 30 road tankers worked to support water networks and maintain supplies wherever possible while power to pumping stations was disrupted.

Field customer support teams delivered bottled water to 462 households, reflecting the relatively low impact on water supplies, mainly focused in very localised rural areas.

The water company’s teams worked closely with communities and emergency response partners, solving access problems and issues affecting everything from the largest water infrastructure in Scotland to the water main that serves Easdale Island in Argyll, accessible only by foot ferry.

Alex Plant, Scottish Water’s Chief Executive, commented:

“I would like to thank everyone from our teams, emergency response partners, and communities who have helped us maintain service and support customers through this exceptional weather event.

“We have been doing everything possible to maintain normal services or, where our services have been impacted, to restore them as quickly as we can and we will continue doing so wherever necessary.

“This was a huge challenge due to the extreme weather, which made working more difficult and potentially dangerous, and I pay tribute to our staff for going that extra mile time and time again for our customers.”