Water Improvement Scheme in North Uist : A £15 million Outer Hebrides water improvement was dismantled into 12 modules before being carried 128 miles by road and sea from Ross-shire Engineering’s base in Muir of Ord to Lochmaddy, in North Uist, where it will be put back together.

Assembling and testing the equipment under factory conditions offered huge advantages when compared to traditional onsite construction, according to Scottish Water, which is behind this scheme. Also designing the plant was Ross-shire Engineering, part of the Inverness-based Global Energy Group.

“These deliveries represent an exciting milestone for this project, which, once complete, will see a single, improved water supply in place for Scottish Water’s customers across North Uist and Berneray,” said Anoushka Ainslie-McAlpine, Scottish Water project manager.

“The way in which this project is being delivered is a great example of Scottish Water and Ross-shire Engineering working together in an innovative way to deliver lasting benefits for customers. Assembling and testing the water treatment works under factory conditions offers major advantages,” she added.

The convoys will travel by road on the A832, A9 and A82 to Uig, on Skye and escorted by the police. From there, they will sail on a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Lochmaddy, before completing the journey to their permanent home.

Scottish Water said it would do all it could to keep disruption to a minimum, but advised other road users to allow extra time for journeys in case of delays.

Earlier work at the Lochmaddy site has included rock blasting to create the platform area where the water treatment modules will be reassembled and the construction of track to the site of a new pumping station by Loch Fada.

Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News