Scottish Water has completed a massive environmental improvement project to provide Campbeltown with a 21st century waste water system.

The £23m scheme – one of the biggest of its kind ever carried out in Argyll & Bute – has delivered a modern, state-of-the-art waste water system after upgrading key parts of Scottish Water’s infrastructure in the town.

The new scheme is now helping to protect the environment in Campbeltown Loch by reducing the frequency of discharges of storm water in storm conditions, in compliance with consents from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

It has also substantially reduced the risk of flooding to properties in the town and enabled 23 to be removed from the register of those at risk of flooding.

The project, which started in early 2009 and was completed more than five months ahead of schedule, included:

• The installation of new pumps at Kinloch Park Pumping Station.
• The installation of a 1.5-mile-long rising main from the pumping station to Slaty Farlan Waste Water Treatment Works(WWTW).
• Improved treatment at the WWTW.
• Improved screening and an extension to the outfall at the pumping station

One of the features of the project, which was developed in consultation with Argyll & Bute Council and SEPA, was a 0.9 mile-long sub-sea section of the rising main beneath Campbeltown Loch.

Eddie Burns, the project manager, said:

“We are delighted to have completed this key project, which is now providing improvements to the environment in Campbeltown Loch and the town itself.

“The project went very well and was completed more than five months ahead of schedule. Our contractors – Lagan EPS and Morrison Construction on the first four phases of work and Black & Veatch on the fifth and final phase – have done an excellent job. They met all target dates agreed with SEPA, worked to a very high standard and were quick to respond to any issues raised by stakeholders, including our customers.”