Kyle of Lochalsh Lead Pipe Replacement
Project overview
Scottish Water is conducting a lead pipe replacement programme in the area served by Kyle Water Treatment Works (WTW) covering 2,200 homes and businesses from Glenshiel to Kyleakin and Stromeferry.
The programme includes eight phases of water quality sampling, where customers will be contacted by letter and encouraged to book appointments for water sampling, either by mail or online. Appointments can be booked online here.
The aim is to detect any lead present in the final section of Scottish Water’s pipework, or in the supply pipes belonging to property owners, and support their replacement.
As well as being beneficial for customers, this work has the potential to simplify the water treatment process at Kyle WTW – one element of which is designed to minimise the potential impact of lead pipes on water quality at customer's taps.
The project will take about two years, with contractors RPS and Morrison Construction handling the work, while customer engagement continues through various channels, including in-person events.
At A Glance
- Lead pipe replacement
- 2,200 homes and business
- Eight phases of work
- Two-year duration
- Delivered by Morrison Construction and RPS
Extensive Sampling Measures Taking Place
The project looks to inform customers who have lead pipes and support their replacement
Phases 1-8 (Updated April 2025)
- Phase 1 - commenced in November 2023 and is progressing steadily, with almost 60 percent of properties within Invershiel sampled. Work is on-going to make contact with the remaining customers who have not yet responded to make an appointment, with the final letters being sent out to prompt appointments. An information event was held before sampling began to allow residents find out more about the project.
- Phase 2 - covers Dornie, Ardelve, and Bundalloch commenced in February 2024. A further information event was held for residents at Inverinate and Loch Duich Community Centre in April 2024. Final letters have now been sent to prompt last-minute appointments before phase one and two are complete.
- Phase 3 - covers Drumbuie, Duirinish, Balmacara, and Auchtertyre and commenced in May 2024. A drop-in information event for residents was held at the Cosy Corner Cafe in Balmacara Square in May 2024. We are still canvasing regularly to get as many appointments as possible.
- Phase 4 - commenced in August 2024 and covers properties to the south of Plockton, including Drumbuie, Duirinish and Achnandarach.
- Phase 5 - commenced in August 2024 and covers Craig, Achmore and Stromeferry.
- Phase 6 - commenced in October 2024 and covers Kyle of Lochalsh, Badicaul and Erbusaig.
- Phase 7 - We held our Kyleakin (phase 7) information event this year on 05/03/2025 at the Kyleakin Community Hall and we have had a steady flow of customers making appointments to have their water tested.
- Phase 8 - We held our Plockton (phase 8) community information event on 22/01/25 at the Plockton Village Hall and similar to Kyleakin, have had a steady flow of customers making appointments. We are in the process of working out the best way to carry out any road excavations in the least disruptive way possible, as most of the village is just one single-track road.
Sampling work will be split up into eight phases.
Customers in each phase will be contacted via letter and encouraged to make a sampling appointment.
