Investigation promised into Borders water supply fault

Water supplies to thousands of homes in the Borders were affected by the fault

An investigation has been promised into a water fault that left thousands of homes in the Borders with low pressure or no supply.

At one stage nearly 300 properties were temporarily advised not to use their water for drinking or cooking.

About 6,000 customers were affected in the Duns, Eccles, Eyemouth, Coldingham and Chirnside areas of the Borders at the peak of the incident.

Scottish Water said it would hold a "full investigation" into the cause of the incident and identify any improvements needed.

Problems were identified at the Rawburn Water Treatment Works near Duns on 26 August.

A "significant burst" of a pipe at the site caused wider problems to the network for several days.

Scottish Water said all supplies had been restored by the weekend but it would look at the root causes to try to avoid any repeat.

"We will be carrying out a full investigation as to why this incident happened," it said.

"We will also carry out an internal review of our response, to identify improvements for the future and learn from what happened."

Their handling of the situation has been criticised by Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont.

He said: "This situation has caused considerable distress and anxiety to local residents and businesses, particularly vulnerable people and farmers managing livestock

"While local teams on the ground were doing their best to help, the lack of communication and disorganisation from Scottish Water HQ was appalling."