Black Esk Water Treatment Works, Boreland
Project Overview
Scottish Water is developing plans to build a new £multimillion Water Treatment Works (WTW) at Boreland, Dumfries and Galloway.
The existing Black Esk WTW was built in 1987 and provides 21.6 million litres of water daily to 40,000 customers in Lockerbie, Annan, Dumfries, and nearby areas. It has now reached the end of its lifespan and is unsuitable for upgrading.
Subject to planning consent, work is expected to start in Summer 2025 with a forecast duration of two years.
The new works will be located on land adjacent to the existing works, within an area of commercial woodland. This site has been chosen in order to utilise the existing pipe work and reuse some of the existing buildings and infrastructure.
We often collaborate with trusted partners to deliver major projects. For this project, we’re working with ESD, a partnership between MWHT and Galliford Try.
At A Glance
- £multimillion project
- 21.6 million litres of drinking water treated and supplied daily
- 40,000 customers served
- Supplies Lockerbie, Annan, Dumfries, and surrounding areas
- Delivered by ESD
- Two year duration from Summer 2025
Existing Water Treatment Works at Boreland
Approx. location of new Water Treatment Works
Environmental Impact
Environmental advisors have been engaged and will be consulted regularly throughout the duration of the project.
We carried out tree felling in commercial woodland in February 2024, which was already part of a long term commercial felling plan and it will enable us to carry out ground condition surveys to help inform our designs.
Prior to carrying out this work, an ecological survey was completed within the purchased land area. The area was inspected for badgers, raptors and any squirrel dreys and no evidence was found to indicate any activity within the working area. We also carried out an archaeological assessment and concluded archaeological risk is low.
As compensatory planting, nearly 3200 broadleaved trees will be planted at Ettrick, around 20 miles away. A further two hectares of native broadleaved woodland will be planted at Black Esk by the end of 2026 to replace the commercial woodland felled to facilitate the new works. The native woodland trees being replanted are not for commercial use and won’t be cut down when they reach maturity, unlike commercial trees.
We are also exploring additional ways to enhance biodiversity on site. A biodiversity survey has already been conducted to identify potential improvements across the broader Black Esk area.
Community Engagement
We are committed to keeping local residents informed and involved throughout the project. So far, engaging with the community has provided valuable insights and feedback that has helped shape our plans ahead of submitting planning applications.
Based on this feedback, we have agreed to reduce the size and overall footprint of the building, and we are also reviewing the site entrance layout.
We plan to submit a planning application to Dumfries and Galloway Council in December 2024. If approved, any conditions set by the council will be incorporated into the project’s design and construction.
As part of this process, we hosted two Public Information Events on 18th September and 30th October 2024. We also attended North Milk Community Council meeting on 13th November 2024. We have further plans to attend Eskdalemuir Community Council meeting in January 2025.
Details from each of these meetings are provided below, along with a Q&A document that compiles questions we've received from residents so far.
