Huge Victorian water pipe to blame for Glasgow's taps running dry
Two weeks of road closures expected in Milngavie to repair burst
Last updated 26th Jan 2023
A huge water pipe which failed in spectacular style on Tuesday night, cutting off supplies to a large part of Glasgow, was more than 160 years old.
Scottish Water has shared footage of the section of the water main which suffered a catastrophic failure in Milngavie, leading to flooding which required the evacuation of children from a local nursery.
The company says road closures are likely to be in place for two weeks as engineers replace the damaged Victorian infrastructure which dates back to Glasgow's transformative Loch Katrine water project in the 1850s.
Road torn open
The force of the mains bursting split Auchenhowie Road open, and on Wednesday workers from the water firm started excavation of the 3ft wide pipe.
Water started to flow to people again on Tuesday evening, Scottish Water said, but now engineers are working to repair the road which they said is set to be closed for around two weeks.
Repair underway
On Thursday Scottish Water shared images of a replacement section of modern pipe already in place, but warned it would still take around two weeks to get the road back into use.
However, it is hoped that some restrictions can be reduced to ease the impact on traffic.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “There has been a significant damage to the road and the safety of our workforce and road users is a top priority.
“Our teams and partners have had to work through the night so that a safe excavation and repair could be undertaken.
“Once we have completed our repair this afternoon, our focus will move to carrying out the substantial reinstatement of the area.
“Due to the extent of the damage caused we’re anticipating it will take around two weeks for the full reinstatement before we can remove the traffic management and local diversions.
“We appreciate this will cause inconvenience and disruption for road users and we’d like to reassure everyone we are working as quickly as possible to get the road
"Some local residents may experience some increased noise this evening and overnight and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause."
100,000 cut off
When the mains burst, roads in the area resembled rivers, and children at the Lullaby Lane nursery had to take shelter in the nearby Rangers Training Centre.
It interrupted supplies customers in Glasgow city centre and the Knightswood, Yoker, Scotstoun, Partick, Kelvinside, Tradeston and Ibrox areas of the city.
Diversions for drivers have been set up as engineers continue work at the site as Glasgow Road and Auchenhowie Road remain closed - and are expected to do so for around 14 days.
Scottish Water said high pressure power cables within the excavation area have now been identified, and it it was working with Scottish Power Energy Networks during the repair works.
Now supply is flowing again, Scottish Water has warned some may see discoloured water running from taps.
The water company said if water was brown then this is the natural lying sediment within the mains that has been disturbed.
It advised customers to allow their cold water kitchen tap to run at reduced pressure until this runs clear.
The company said that if anyone experiences white water, this is air in the water supply following the interruption and will settle between 24 to 48 hours.