Work has just started on a package of improvements designed to ensure better control over the quality of the finished product received by around 40,000 people in the Elgin, Forres and Lossiemouth areas.
The upgrade is part of Scottish Water's 2010 Vision for Moray, the £23 million campaign delivering improvements across the region while keeping the average household water bill below £1 a day.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead saw for himself the clear benefits of Scottish Water's £2.2 million upgrade of the Glenlatterach drinking water production plant in the hills south of Elgin.
Mr Lochhead said:
"This work will offer the people of Moray major improvements in the quality of their drinking water. With the original water works dating back over 50 years, it's fair to say this upgrade is much-needed.
"It's great to see our record levels of investment in Scottish Water delivering real results on the ground. And as one of the residents set to benefit from this work I look forward to seeing and tasting the end result too."
Peter Brown, Water Quality Regulation Manager for Scottish Water, said:
"We're delighted to welcome Richard on site today to see the hard work going on behind the scenes to ensure our customers can rely on clear, fresh drinking water at the turn of a tap. The plant has had small additions over the decades to keep pace with increasing water quality standards.
"Our major investment will guarantee high standards for many years to come. Moray might be famous for its whisky but we think it should be just as proud of the quality of its drinking water."
Work at Glenlatterach is due to be complete in the spring. The plant produces on average 8.7 million litres of drinking water every day.
The Glenlatterach Reservoir and original waterworks were created in 1957 by the then Laich of Moray Water Board, harnessing the waters of the Leanoch Burn for "the good of the county", as described on a commemorative stone at the reservoir's edge.
Scottish Water Solutions, a joint venture between Scottish Water and leading construction and contracting firms, is responsible for delivering the project with Morrison Enpure the main firm on site.
Neil Cowper, Project Manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said:
"We're making major modifications to pipework and valves within the existing clarifier tanks. That will modify their control prior to existing filtering of the water to make it fit for drinking. New lime contact pipework is also being installed to improve the pH of the water. In addition there are some health and safety modifications, pump upgrades and new communications equipment."
As part of Scottish Water 2010 Vision for Moray, numerous improvements are taking place to ensure clear, fresh drinking water throughout the region.
Earlier this year a £7 million membrane filtration plant was completed at Badentinan near Rothes which also supplies the Elgin area. New water mains have been installed in Rafford and Findhorn to keep supplies clear and reduce interruptions caused by bursts. And there are upgrades ongoing at plants at Rochomie and Herricks which supply Buckie and Keith respectively.