A MULTI-MILLION-POUND investment will improve drinking water services in Meirionnydd.

Garreglwyd water treatment works, which is located in the mountains above Llan Ffestiniog, has received a £6m upgrade to ensure that customers in the Blaenau Ffestiniog, Trawsfynydd and Gellilydan area continue to receive “first-class” drinking water every time they open their taps.

Following completion of the work by not-for-profit water company, Welsh Water, the site was officially opened by Dwyfor Meirionnydd Assembly Member, Dafydd Elis-Thomas with a little help from local school children from Ysgol Bro Cynfal, Llan Ffestiniog.

The investment at Garreglwyd is part of a wider £120 million programme to upgrade 12 water treatment works in Wales. Nearby Llyn Conwy water treatment works has also received a £13m upgrade as well as a new £28m works in Dolbenmaen, near Porthmadog.

The existing water treatment works at Garreglwyd was originally built in 1986 and was also officially opened by Lord Elis-Thomas who was a Member of Parliament at the time for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy.

As part of the official opening, which was held at Ysgol Bro Cynfal, the pupils participated in a workshop and took part in Welsh Water’s network challenge, which includes the children building their very own water network to see who can get the water from the reservoir to the houses quickest. The children then helped Lord Elis-Thomas unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.

See this week’s north papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now