Bad water?

COMPLAINTS last year over the quality of water in mainland Shetland are being investigated by the industry watchdog.

Scottish water quality regulator Colin McLaren said this week a large number of complaints about a smell, taste and burning sensation came from customers in the Lerwick and Eela water supply areas in 2007.

Last year The Shetland Times reported on plans by Scottish Water to change the way its water supplies are disinfected, from chlorination to chloramination.

The drawback with traditional chlorinated water was that a high dose had to be added to ensure it was still effective as a disinfectant by the time it reached the end of the line.

With chloramination, small amounts of ammonia are added along with lower levels of chlorine. The compound lasts a lot longer in the water, so requires less to be added.

Some customers complained about the water after the switch was made.

A Scottish Water spokesman said complaints were at a much lower level now, and current water samples do not show up any problems.