Loch Lomond Water Supply Scheme
Loch Lomond, Scotland, UK · 1966-1971 · £9.8 million (1965 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe scheme was a significant undertaking to augment water supplies for Central Scotland, backed by government legislation. - The project demonstrates the strategic importance of large-scale water infrastructure for urban development. - Parliamentary discussions highlight the political and economic considerations in such major public works.
Key engineering challenges
Controlling the natural discharge from Loch Lomond using a barrage across the River Leven. - Transferring large volumes of water from Loch Lomond to treatment works (e.g., Balmore WTW). - Managing the project within estimated costs and timelines, as discussed in parliamentary debates.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Central Scotland Water Development Board (now part of Scottish Water)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Supplies up to 70 million gallons (approx. 318 million litres) per day; includes a barrage across the River Leven.
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic
- Standards & frameworks
- Governed by Scottish water supply legislation of the time.
Sources: "The hydrology and water management of Loch Lomond", T. Jolley, 2000, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00369220018737094 - "Loch Lomond Water Scheme", Hansard, 1966, https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1966-12-21/debates/bbfd7c3a-2116-4ca9-aa00-c177ff3db7cc/LochLomondWaterScheme - "Ross Priory Pumping Station", WaterProjectsOnline, 2021, https://waterprojectsonline.com/mini-case-studies/gilkes-ross-priory/