Highland Perthshire residents stunned to learn their tap water was riddled with potentially deadly bacteria could be hooked up to a clean supply by Christmas.
Following an approach by First Minister Alex Salmond, Scottish Water has confirmed it is aiming to connect around 50 households at Tummel Bridge to mains water before the holidays.
The SNP leader agreed to pile pressure on water bosses after the residents’ plight was revealed by The Courier last week.
Scottish Water has spent nearly four years trying to link the remote area to a mains supply. At the moment, residents get their water from a private supply provided by Scottish and Southern Energy, which runs the nearby Hydro plant.
It was hoped the mains connection would be switched on last month but Scottish Water said the project which is believed to cost more than £1 million had been hit by delays.
At the same time, residents were warned not to use their water to drink, prepare food or even shower with, after a sample taken from the SSE depot showed it contained bugs like E coli and salmonella.
Last night local MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Constituents in Tummel Bridge will welcome the news but won’t be popping the Champagne corks until they actually have clean running water in their homes.
“The situation has already gone on far too long but it is heartening to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel for Tummel Bridge residents.
“Over the coming months, I will be keeping a close eye on Scottish Water’s progress and will be happy to raise this issue again in parliament if clean water isn’t supplied before Christmas.”
Residents have blamed the water for causing stomach bugs and other illnesses. Although they were aware it has been unfit for several years, they were concerned to learn it had failed recent bacteriological and chemical tests.
They have been warned not to use the water for showering if they have open wounds or injuries, although it can be boiled to make hot drinks.
As a result, locals say they have spent a small fortune in some cases up to £600 a year on bottled water.
A Scottish Water spokesman said engineers hoped to conclude additional work to “tweak” the new treatment unit soon. After this process, it will take about six weeks to get all affected homes connected to the new supply.
“The community will then be able to enjoy the benefits of the mains water supply,” he said. “We are grateful to residents for their patience and will be writing to those affected once we have a confirmed timescale for the connections.”