Environment watchdogs issue warning over Comrie silt pollution

Nov 6 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SCOTLAND’S environment watchdog is reminding anyone carrying out work in or near a watercourse to ensure they take steps to protect the environment before starting.

The warning comes after a fishery consultant pled guilty at Perth Sheriff Court to allowing work to be carried out at a reservoir in Perthshire which resulted in serious pollution to the River Earn.

Calum McGregor, SEPA's acting unit manager for Perth, said: “I have over 10 years’ experience dealing with pollution incidents and have never seen an impact from suspended solids of this scale before.

“A significant volume of silt was released and deposited into an important river at a critical time in the life cycle for salmon, sea trout and brown trout.

“Most, if not all, of them would have spawned in the River Earn by the time of the incident and their eggs would have been very vulnerable.

“The silt, which was up to 30 centimetres deep, also caused a significant impact on the invertebrate ecology.

“It would have been possible to over-pump or divert the watercourse, ensuring that the suspended solids were not allowed to be discharged or escape from the works.”

SEPA's Colin Bayes, Director of Environmental Protection and Improvement, added: “We want to help people avoid pollution and advice on how to do that is available from our staff, offices and www.sepa.org.uk

“If a pollution incident occurs, we urge anyone to let us know straight away by calling our 24- hour pollution report line, 0800 80 70 60, giving as many details as possible so effective action can be taken.”