Getting Sutherland Ready for Winter

14th October 2012

Scottish Water is encouraging customers in Sutherland to ensure homes and businesses are protected and prepared for winter.

Protect your pipes - Be prepared, is Scottish Water's winter message, asking customers throughout the area to protect their pipes, be prepared and heat, insulate and protect their home and business.

It will advise them what to do to prevent frozen or burst pipes, how to locate their stop valve, what to do in an emergency.

Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water's Regional Community Manager for the area said: "Our winter campaign aims to inform our customers, home owners and businesses about the importance of acting now to protect their pipes to avoid the hardships that so many experienced in recent winters.

"While there's no telling whether the extreme conditions of the last few years could be repeated again, it is sensible for customers to start thinking about protecting their pipes now and make sure they are prepared.

"Very often people think it won't happen to them, but there are few things more upsetting than coming home or into work to find everything ankle deep in freezing water and your carpets, furniture and equipment all ruined because of a burst pipe.

"Unfortunately, many customers found out that the real problems start when temperatures begin to rise again after such a cold snap. This can lead to pipes expanding and bursting.

"Customers who take action now to heat, insulate and protect their properties can avoid this considerable headache and heartache. The message is very much that we want to work with our customers to ensure we are all prepared."

Customers are being advised to follow Scottish Water's winter code:

· Heat, insulate and protect your pipes.
· Leave your heating on at a low setting.
· If you are going away then make sure you have someone who can regularly check for any problems.
· If your property is going to be vacant over the winter months, turn off your water supply and drain the system. A licensed plumber should be able to advise you about this.
· Keep your insurance documents somewhere secure and water-tight so you can access them easily if needed.
· Locate your stop valve.
· Keep a note of the telephone number of a licensed plumber.
· Keep a note of the Scottish Water Customer Helpline number - 0845 601 8855.
· Be a good neighbour and keep an eye out for your neighbours, especially the frail and elderly or disabled.

Scottish Water's message is being spread through a range of measures including leaflets, videos, social media channels, advertising and partnerships with a range of bodies, such as landlord and housing associations and plumbers' federation SNIPEF.

A range of initiatives will ensure employees are well equipped to continue delivering the best possible service in the event of another severe winter.

Last year again saw an unprecedented winter, with the snow and freezing temperatures of 2009 and 2010 replaced by high winds and heavy rainfall.

However, Scottish Water employees worked around the clock, to maintain drinking water supply to our 2.4 million household customers and protect the natural environment.

For the fourth year running, STV weather forecaster, Sean Batty is supporting Scottish Water's campaign. Sean said:"Last year many Scots were preparing for another cold winter after the extreme conditions of the previous two, however, in the end it turned out to be a much milder but stormy one. This highlights just how volatile our weather can be and how we need to be prepared in advance for whatever it throws in our direction and to ensure that we heat, insulate and protect our homes and businesses against the ever changing elements."

Visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter where you can find winter information, films and advice.

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twitter.com/scottish_water and facebook www.facebook.com/scottishwater 

PHOTO
Joanna Peebles , community manager with engineer David Ellis.