Communities across Aberdeenshire are sharing the benefits of an £8.7million investment by Scottish Water.
Upgraded facilities at Huntly, Torphins, Rothienorman, Echt and Meikle Wartle currently serve more than 7,700 residents.
All five projects protect the environment in the region’s watercourses and enable development in communities by providing more capacity in the waste water network.
Aberdeeshire West MSP Dennis Robertson said: “The effective treatment of waste water plays a crucial part in the water quality of our burns and rivers.
“By providing extra capacity for new connections, Scottish Water is playing its part to facilitate development in Aberdeenshire and help communities grow and thrive.”
The works include the £3,572,000 refurbishment of Huntly Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW); £1,052,000 to refurbish Torphins WWTW; a £1,340,000 upgrade of Rothienorman WWTW; a £1,721,000 investment at Echt WWTW addressing a demand for additional housing in the area; and a £1,034,000 project at Meikle Wartle also addressing a demand for additional housing in the village.
Steve Scott, regional community manager for Aberdeenshire, said: “This is another major investment from Scottish Water, which has been carried out to improve the treatment of waste water and help communities grow and thrive.
“This essential work is part of the important maintenance and upgrades which ensure facilities like these are able to treat waste water and return it safely to the environment.”