Inspection work continues on subsea pipeline

A team of divers will continue working over the weekend, in difficult conditions, to locate a burst on a subsea water main off Graemsay.

The burst on the pipeline that supplies Graemsay with water from Hoy is affecting water supplies to customers. Scottish Water says it is continuing to work round-the-clock to restore normal supplies and minimise disruption to islanders.

Scottish Water explained that engineers are working as quickly as possible, in challenging conditions, to locate the burst and assess what repairs are required before they can start the repair work.

A statement said that team of specialist divers is using a support vessel to methodically check every inch of the 1.1 mile (1.8km)-long pipe that lies just beneath the seabed between Graemsay and Hoy.

They are diving to a depth of up to 45 feet (14 metres) along the route of the water main, brushing silt from the top of it and checking to locate the burst. By Friday afternoon divers have, so far, checked about half the length of the pipeline.

Their work, which includes the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), will continue over the weekend but is dependent on tidal conditions and visibility. The divers’ safety will remain the top priority.

Scottish Water is still estimating that the work to locate the burst will take some time. Only after locating it can it assess what repair work is required and start carrying out that repair work.

While this work continues, Scottish Water says it also using every resource available to minimise inconvenience to affected customers, including the transportation of water by boat from Stromness, to replenish the water tank on Graemsay, until the burst is found and the repairs completed. It will also continue transporting water to Graemsay by boat over the weekend.

This water is temporarily restoring supplies to customers while the work to locate the burst continues.

However, stocks are limited and Scottish Water is asking islanders to continue helping by using their water wisely and conserving supplies wherever possible.

To help minimise any inconvenience to customers, we are also continuing to deliver bottled water to affected properties. In addition, supplies are being provided for livestock on the island.