The Lewis community of Steinish has received a major boost from Scottish Water.

A £646,000 investment in the local sewage system has been completed, providing greater capacity to enable new housing developments and stopping poor quality effluent being discharged in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Malcolm McPhail, Scottish Water's asset planner for the Western Isles, said: "We're pleased to be playing such a crucial part in the community's growth aspirations while at the same time protecting the important local environment. Investments such as this show Scottish Water is delivering real benefits for the Western Isles."

"MUCH-NEEDED BOOST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY"

Councillor Norman A Macdonald, Chairman of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Environment and Protective Services Committee, said: "This is a very welcome investment in our infrastructure, particularly because it will increase the capacity for building new housing which in turn provides a much-needed boost for the construction industry."

The Steinish project is part of Scottish Water's 2010 Vision for the Western Isles. £58million is being invested to improve drinking water supplies, reduce leakage, protect the environment and support development. And all the while household charges remain, on average, below £1 a day. Customers can find out more and send comments by clicking here: www.scottishwater.co.uk/vision2010.

WHAT THE WORK INVOLVED

The old treatment works used to discharge its effluent into the shellfish waters of Broadbay and the Tong Saltings SSSI. The upgrade, which got underway towards the end of 2007, involved converting the treatment works site to a pumping station. Sewage is now pumped from Steinish to the main treatment works at Stornoway, where it receives a high level of treatment with a good quality effluent dispersed in the deep waters of the Minch.

Graeme Campbell, the Steinish project manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said: "By working closely with the community and other interested parties such as SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency), we were able to deliver this project swiftly. The end result is a more pleasant environment for wildlife and for locals and visitors to enjoy, and room for growth in the community."

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTS WELCOME UPGRADE

Stuart Baird, Western Isles Unit Manager for SEPA, said: "The connection of the sewage from Steinish to the main Stornoway system represents another improvement in the public sewerage systems in and around Broad Bay. This upgrade is particularly important as the sewage effluent used to discharge into an environmentally sensitive area, so the work done at Steinish should help to raise the water quality. SEPA welcomes the continuing commitment from Scottish Water to improvements in sewage systems in response to the identified environmental priorities."