Dunfermline homes without water

About 500 properties in Dunfermline have been left without water after a main was damaged by contractors.

Scottish Water said its engineers had managed to keep water flowing to the affected homes and businesses throughout most of Monday.

But the supply eventually had been shut off in the Garvock Hill area on Monday night while repairs were carried out.

It was hoped the work would be completed and the water supply restored by early on Tuesday morning.

Anne Marie Dewar, Scottish Water's Regional Community Manager for the area, said a large diameter water main in the Pilmuir Street area of the town had been damaged by third party contractors.

She added: "This is an essential pipeline repair. In order for our engineers to fix this important water main as quickly and safely as possible it is important that they switch off the water supply serving around 500 properties in the Garvock Hill area of the town.

"Using their expert knowledge of this complicated system of pipes, they will divert supplies in order to keep disruption to an absolute minimum. We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause."

Once water supplies are restored, some customers may notice slight discolouration. Householders are therefore advised to turn on their kitchen tap for a couple of minutes, until the stream of water runs clear.

Scottish Water advised affected customers to store water for drinking purposes during the loss of supply in clean, covered containers in the fridge. Water stored in other containers can be used for flushing toilets.

Washing machines and dish washers should not be used whilst the water is off.