Tap water warning in Uist and Benbecula over ‘oily taste’

People in parts of the Western Isles have been told not to use their water supply after it was contaminated by a fuel leak.

Three schools in Benbecula and South Uist have been closed and local health services have been disrupted.

Scottish Water said about 1,000 properties were affected, with their water having an oily smell and taste.

The utilities company said the problem had been traced to a leak from a back-up generator for a pumping station.

Scottish Water said the contamination would take several days to clear and has made bottled water available.

Local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has closed schools at Balivanich, Iochdar and Lionacleit because of the situation.

Lionacleit Education Centre and Lionacleit Sports Centre and Library have also been closed as a precaution.

The comhairle said the sites would remain closed on Friday.

NHS Western Isles said the disruption to supplies had affected local health services and it had activated contingency plans, including providing portable hand-washing facilities at sites.

Scottish Water said the source of the problem had been located and isolated, but warned it could take several days to clear.

The company said people should not drink, wash or cook using water from their usual supply.

A spokesperson said: "The source of the problem was traced yesterday to a fuel leak from a generator that provides a back-up power supply for a pumping station at Loch Eilean Iain.

"This has been isolated and work has begun to flush the local water network, in parallel with the taking of water samples for analysis at Scottish Water's specialist laboratories."

The comhairle said HS7 and HS8 postcode areas were involved.

Lionacleit Education Centre and Lionacleit Sports Centre and Library have also been closed as a precaution.

NHS Western Isles said dental services were among those affected by the disruption to the water supply.

The health board said: "Our resilience systems are active, continuously monitoring the situation, and we have implemented a number of contingencies to ensure that services delivered are safe and effective.

"NHS Western Isles would like to thank Scottish Water and partnership agencies for their support, and patients and the public for their patience."