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‘It stinks of diesel’: New Elgin residents warned against drinking tap water as Scottish Water investigate

By Lauren Taylor, Chloe Irvine and Ross Hempseed

January 11 2023, 6:25 am

Bottled water has been distributed to more than 500 homes and businesses in New Elgin. Image: JasperImage.

Hundreds of households woke up to find bottles of water on their doorstep today – along with a letter warning them not to drink from the tap.

Scottish Water is investigating after homes in the Thornhill Drive area of New Elgin reported a change in the taste and odour of their water supply last night.

More than 500 homes and businesses are affected, with bottled water being distributed throughout the area.

Water quality samples have been taken and are currently being analysed.

Depending on the results of the first and second set of water samples – which will be tested early tomorrow – restrictions may be lifted.

An on-site support centre has been open throughout the day for those who need assistance, and Scottish Water teams have dropped off another batch of bottled water.

L-R – Elaine Macarthur, Sharon Dunbar and Rikki Drummond at the scene with the control unit located at the rear of the health centre on Thornhill Drive. Image: JasperImage.

Homes supplied with bottles of water

Residents throughout Thornhill Drive told The P&J the water smells funny, with others suggesting it was similar to diesel.

One resident said: “It just gave a funny smell when you’re running the tap, I didn’t know what it was.

He said: “I made a cup of coffee and halfway through my daughter-in-law contacted us to say ‘don’t touch the water, there’s something wrong with it.’

“The smell was stronger after you heated it up in the kettle because you could smell it vividly then, it was just a strange smell, very weird.”

James Gee was surprised to find the bottled water on his doorstep earlier today. Image: JasperImage

Another resident said her children have travelled over to Findhorn so they can have showers.

One resident in the Grange estate, found 12 bottles of water on her doorstep this morning.

“It must be serious, and it stinks of diesel,” she said.

“We’re literally not allowed to do anything but flush the toilet, which I’m grateful for though.”

Millie McKenzie, who lives in New Elgin, said they’d received 24 litres of bottled water over the day due to the ongoing issues. Image: JasperImage.

‘Working hard to restore services’

Scottish Water’s customer service general manager, Kevin Roy, said: “Public health is our absolute priority and we are working hard to restore normal water service and lift the precautionary notice as soon as possible, in consultation with public health specialists at NHS Grampian.

“I appreciate the situation will be causing significant inconvenience and concern – and we will continue to supply customer with bottled water to help as far as we can until normal service is restored.

“Thank you once again to our customers for their patience and understanding while we complete our investigations and analysis of the water samples that have been taken.”

Some households may experience a loss of water supply, low pressure or discolouration while the investigation is carried out.

We are working hard to identify the problem in #IV30 #Elgin and to restore supplies to normal and would like to apologise to all affected customers for any disruption caused. Please see map of impacted areas attached. Further updates to follow – https://t.co/5wxoAokGRs pic.twitter.com/kGJ78TCaXR

— Scottish Water (@scottish_water) January 11, 2023