Water disruptions 22/8/11
Sirs,
As another writer already posted this is the fifteenth such un-
I want to put some facts on the table here. This pipework was installed in the 1950's and is made from a concrete asbestos mix. When the pipework ages and degrades, it fractures and obviously bursts. It also releases asbestos into the water supply.
I have taken this up with Scottish Water several times, as I know others have too.
There response is to quote a World Health Organisation (WHO) report stating that
there is no evidence that ingested Asbestos poses any threat to human health. The
WHO report can be found here -
You will note that at no stage does this report indicate that there is absolutely no evidence, it states 'little' or no convincing evidence etc. It does not address the issue that is obvious to all of us that clothes washed in this water, and dried, will subsequently contain airborne asbestos fibres which are dangerous.
I fail to see how a material so dangerous to handle, with a plethora of regulations on its use, can be safe to drink through?
Everyone is aware of a high cancer rate here, why we do not know, some speculate over Chernobyl, but other areas of the country were exposed just as badly and there is no such comparison, which leaves questions to be answered.
If you live in the vicinity of one of these bursts, did the workers wear full protective clothing when repairing it? Did they dispose of the damaged pipe in accordance with regulations at an approved asbestos licensed facility?
Why SW are citing the WHO report is intriguing, surely the HSE are the governing body in the UK for such matters?
Canada and much of the USA has the same problem, this site puts a different angle
on the issue -
Whatever you personal angle on this, it is patently clear that this ancient pipework needs to be replaced, and I urge everyone to maintain pressure on Scottish Water and their MSP to have it renewed so we can at least have a safe clean reliable supply.
It is archaic to expect a civilised community to live with constant supply disruption.
John Malone
17 Breasclete
Isle of Lewis
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