Members of a Highland Perthshire community whose tap water was riddled with a variety of deadly bugs have raised their glasses after their homes were finally hooked up to a clean supply.
Tummel Bridge residents have been warned not use their water for drinking, washing or even showering for the last four years after it failed a series of rigorous assessments.
Scottish Water came under increased pressure to address the problem after tests taken in October showed the supply was swimming with hazardous bacteria including E coli and salmonella.
Residents said many had fallen ill some were even hospitalised with blood poisoning after contact with the bugs and that they had spent a small fortune in bottled water. Scottish Water staff have now been praised for their extra efforts to get the mains supply switched on.
Resident Evelyn Brown estimated she had spent between £500 and £600 a year on water bottles.
She said: “They seem to have pulled out all the stops to get us switched on to mains supply. It’s like a great weight lifted from our shoulders.”
She added: “There have been a few teething problems. The water comes out fizzy and our dogs are refusing to drink it but we’ll get things like that sorted over time.”
About 50 households have now been connected to mains water. They previously got their water from a private source provided by Scottish and Southern Energy, which runs the nearby hydro plant.
Former first minister Alex Salmond was asked to intervene after the problem was exposed by The Courier in October.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser asked the then-SNP leader to put pressure on Scottish Water to have the supply sorted out by the end of the year.
He said: “It’s great to hear that the fight is over for residents in Tummel Bridge who have finally received clean drinking water.
“I am pleased that public pressure has paid off and Scottish Water has fulfilled its promise to connect the area to the mains supply by Christmas and residents are rightfully grateful for their hard work. “
He said: “A huge weight has been lifted from this community who start the new year without the worry of having to buy bottled water for drinking, cleaning and cooking.”
Scottish Water came under fire after missing an original target date of October 20. It said it needed extra time to “tweak” the system so a consistent and reliable supply was offered to the whole community.
A spokesman said the company was grateful to all residents for their patience.
Residents have blamed the water for causing stomach bugs and other illnesses.
Although they were aware it has been unfit for several years, they were concerned to learn it had failed the most recent bacteriological and chemical tests.
A recent sample of water taken from the SSE depot by Perth and Kinross Council’s environmental health team revealed traces of various bacteria including campylobacter, salmonella and e-coli 0157.
As well as being warned not to use the water without boiling it, residents were told in a letter that it was their responsibility to warn any visitors to their home about the potential health risks.