Water supply advice to farmers

A team from Scottish Water will soon be visiting Orkney to provide support and advice to farmers on how they can protect drinking water sources from diffuse pollution.

Preventing diffuse pollution means it is easier to maintain high quality source water entering Scottish Water’s water treatment works, benefiting public water supplies, while helping to protect and enhance the environment.

The team will be on Orkney from August 7-11, and will be available to visit landowners on their farms, or you can visit their stand at the County Show.

The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) scheme is a Scottish Water initiative that helps reduce diffuse pollution. The drinking water sources included in this initiative on Orkney are:

• Loch of Kirbister

• Loch Boardhouse & Hundland

• Loch of Burness & Loch Saintear (Westray)

• Loch Bea (Sanday)

Together these lochs supply more than 17,500 people in Orkney with drinking water.

Applying to the scheme is easy and the application form can even be completed by Scottish Water at no charge during a farm visit. If anyone is unable to meet the team on their visit –they can still apply. Completed applications should be received by October 1.

To find out more about the scheme, or download an application form, visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/protectdwsources

Alternatively land managers can contact Lucy Broadie on 07875 873542 or email protectdwsources@scottishwater.co.uk.