Villagers to get mains water supply

Yorkshire Water has announced that Buckden, Malham, Keasden, Kettlewell, Starbotton and Airton, will be attached to mains supplies over the next six months.

Peter Riggall, Yorkshire Water project manager said: "This is a major scheme we are undertaking and will affect all the residents of all seven villages.

"Because of tighter drinking water regulations, combined with the fact that during the summer months we regularly have to drive water into the villages, we are going to connect them to the mains supply network for the first time in their history."

The £3 million project will see 23 kilometres of water main being laid, with the drinking water being supplied from either Embsay or Elslack water treatment works by March next year.

The scheme will only change supplies for those served by Yorkshire Water springs and bore holes. Some of the more isolated properties will continue to rely on supplies from independent springs for which householders have their own purification systems.

Ian Cuthbert, vice-chairman of Kettlewell Parish Council, told the Herald that Buckden suffered the worst problems with water supply and often relied on tanker supplies.

He added this was also sometimes the case in Kettlewell.

Mr Cuthbert said: "I think most people will very much regret the loss of the stream water with its quality and taste. But it has to be recognised that water has to be imported to maintain supplies."

Villagers will have the first chance to see details of the scheme at two public meetings to be held in Kettlewell Village Hall on Wednesday, and Malham Village Hall on Thursday.

At both meetings, which will take place between 4pm and 7pm, residents will be able to view the plans and speak to members of the project team about the scheme.

Mr Riggall said: "In certain places the pipeline will run through fields but we will ensure the work doesn't compromise the environment in any way."