Black Esk Water Treatment Works, Boreland
Project Overview
Scottish Water has received planning approval from Dumfries and Galloway Council for the construction of a new multi-million-pound Water Treatment Works (WTW) at Boreland.
The existing Black Esk WTW, built in 1987, currently provides 21.6 million litres of water daily to around 40,000 customers in Lockerbie, Annan, Dumfries, and surrounding areas.
It has now reached the end of its lifespan and is unsuitable for upgrading.
Following the approval of planning consent, the programme of works is currently being agreed. Further updates will be provided on this page once details are confirmed.
Scottish Water is working with its delivery partner, ESD, to deliver this essential project.
Community Drop-in Information Event:
Meet the project team, get the latest information and ask any questions you may have. Our team will be around on Monday 2nd November 2026 between 3:30-6pm at Boreland Village Hall.
At A Glance
- £multimillion project
- 21.6 million litres of drinking water treated and supplied daily
- 40,000 customers served
- Supplies Lockerbie, Annan, Dumfries, and surrounding areas
- Delivered by ESD
Existing Black Esk WTW built in 1987
The existing WTW has reached the end of its serviceable lifespan
Update - September 2026
Scottish Water has reached an important milestone in the delivery of the new Black Esk Water Treatment Works, with Dumfries and Galloway Council approving the project's Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).
The approval enables the project to move into the construction phase, with enabling works set to begin in the coming weeks ahead of main construction commencing on 16 September.
Temporary two-way traffic lights will be in place on the B723 from 23 September for approximately eight weeks to support the construction of a new access road, with earthworks expected to begin in early October.
Scottish Water would like to thank residents, community representatives and stakeholders for their continued engagement and support throughout the planning process and remains committed to keeping the community informed as the project progresses.
Further updates will be provided as plans progress.
What We Are Doing
We are developing plans for a new WTW, including the necessary infrastructure, as well as upgrades and modifications to the existing plant. Upon completion of the new infrastructure, certain parts of the existing Black Esk WTW will become redundant and will be decommissioned.
The new works will be located on land adjacent to the existing works, within an area of commercial woodland. This site has been chosen in order to utilise the existing pipe work and reuse some of the existing buildings and infrastructure.
This project aims to enhance future network quality and resilience, ensuring a more stable treatment process and improved flow throughout the local water network.
As of September 2025, planning consent for the new WTW has been granted by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Any conditions set out as part of the consent will be incorporated into the project’s design and construction.
Community Engagement
We are committed to keeping local residents informed and involved throughout this project. The feedback and insights gathered through our engagement activities have been invaluable in helping to shape our plans. As a direct result of this feedback, we reduced the size and overall footprint of the proposed building.
To date, we have hosted two public consultation events, held on 18 September and 30 October 2024, and attended two Community Council meetings to discuss the project and listen to local views.
Information from these engagements is available in the Document Hub section of this page, alongside a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that brings together questions raised by residents and our responses.
We have also established a Community Liaison Group, which meets regularly to maintain open communication, share project updates, and ensure local voices continue to be heard as the project progresses.
Black Esk Document Hub
Details of both public consultation events that took place late-2024 can be found below, along with an FAQS document.
Click here
Area beside existing WTW where tree felling has taken place
Tree felling was part of the preparatory works
Environmental Impact
Environmental advisors have been engaged and will be consulted regularly throughout the duration of the project.
We carried out tree felling in commercial woodland in February 2024, which was already part of a long term commercial felling plan and enabled us to carry out ground condition surveys to help inform our designs.
Prior to carrying out this work, an ecological survey was completed within the purchased land area. The area was inspected for badgers, raptors, and any squirrel dreys and no evidence was found to indicate any activity within the working area. We also carried out an archaeological assessment and concluded archaeological risk is low.
As compensatory planting, nearly 3200 broadleaved trees will be planted at Ettrick, around 20 miles away. A further two hectares of native broadleaved woodland will be planted at Black Esk by the end of 2026 to replace the commercial woodland felled to facilitate the new works.
The native woodland trees being replanted are not for commercial use and won’t be cut down when they reach maturity, unlike commercial trees.
We are also exploring additional ways to enhance biodiversity on site. A biodiversity survey has already been conducted to identify potential improvements across the broader Black Esk area.
