Water main burst doesn't dampen Christmas spirit

Jan 2 2009 by Lex Brown, Irvine Herald

A THIRTY-STRONG emergency team worked through Christmas Day to ensure thousands of residents in Kilwinning and Stevenston got their festive dinner.

The Scottish Water squad swung into action after they were alerted to the burst in the 24inch main on Christmas Eve.

Homes in part of Kilwinning in the King Street and Meadows areas could have been affected as well as the Hayocks in Stevenston.

Repairs prevented a loss of supply although some customers experienced low pressure and water discolouration.

Special collection points were set up at St Winning’s and Pennyburn Primary schools and at Mansfield Trinity Church and West Doura Way where 80,000 litres of bottled water were handed out.

The burst was repaired and normal supply was restored late on Christmas Eve.

Paul Maxwell, Scottish Water’s Ayrshire manager, said it was a serious burst to a major water main.

He said: “It could have caused significant disruption on Christmas Day when most people were at home enjoying time with their families.

“We were quickly on the scene and identified the problem before taking measures to ensure supplies were maintained.”