Burst main closes schools and cuts supply to homes

TWO schools were closed and around 50 homes left without water supply in West Lothian after a 21-inch water main burst.

Residents in high-lying areas of West Calder were affected over the weekend, with Addiewell Primary School and Parkhead Primary School and nursery class closed yesterday.

Water supplies were turned off in West Calder between 10am and 8pm yesterday to allow Scottish Water engineers to complete the repair work.

Scottish Water’s regional community manager for the area, Bill Elliot, apologised for any inconvenience caused.

He added: “Unfortunately it was necessary to switch off supplies in this area in order to complete the full repair. Our engineers redistributed the water mains network in order to minimise the impact on customers.”

Scottish Water said the impact of the burst water main could have been significantly wider had it not been for the “swift actions of operatives”.

Some residents may notice slight discoloration with their drinking water supply after supplies are restored, which Scottish Water said is a result of the “naturally occurring sediment within the pipe being disturbed when supplies are switched off”.

Residents are advised to run the kitchen tap for a couple of minutes until the stream runs clear.