River diesel spill 'clearing' but tap water still not safe to drink

A diesel spillage into the River Dochart which flowed into the River Tay in Perthshire appears to be clearing, the environment watchdog has said.

During a visual inspection, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the east end of Loch Tay was clear and no impacts could be seen in the River Tay, from Kenmore to Aberfeldy.

Scottish Water, in an update on Sunday evening, said residents of the village of Killin could now use the water for bathing and washing but that it was still not safe to drink.

Volunteers have handed out about 40,000 bottles of water since the spillage, which a local petrol station blamed on an attempted fuel theft.

The problem was reported on Friday after locals experiencing a strong solvent taste in their water and in the air outside.

Scottish Water warned that despite teams working "around the clock" since the alarm was raised to flush the system, it would take "several days" for the water supply to return to normal.

Local MSP Evelyn Tweed said there had been reports of "bogus plumbers approaching residents".

She added: "We are working closely with the police to ensure customers are aware of this."

Scottish Water said it had only engaged Speedy Plumbers to support customers.

Water operations general manager John Griffen said more than 100 workers were advising households and businesses on an individual level.

He added: "Following several days of continuous flushing of the water network in Killin and extensive sampling and testing, we are pleased to share that water quality has improved.

"These improvements reflect the progress our teams have made on the ground and mark an important step forward as we work to fully restore our customers drinking water."

Scottish Water said it was now safe to use the water for bathing and washing, as well as cleaning dishes and clothes.

Customers are still being told not to use their tap water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, feeding pets and the use of appliances such as coffee and ice machines that are connected to the mains supply.

Boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.

Killin resident Stacey Anderton said it had been tough without water at home with her three sons, including one-year-old Rory.

"I was out running on Thursday night and could smell it the further up the loch I got," she said. "Then I heard we couldn't use the water.

"It's really hard, trying to clean the everyday stuff that we use.

"Especially when Rory needs cleaning - there's only a certain amount wet wipes will do."

Rob Jamieson runs Loch Tay Fish n Trips.

He helped trace the route of the spillage last week and has been following the situation closely.

Jamieson decided to cancel bookings for fishing and wildlife trips on the loch until he knows the full impact of the spillage on the water.

"It's devastating," he said, "But it's not just about me, it's about the place and the rest of the people in the village. It's not good."

Mugurel Dobre works at the River Inn restaurant and bar, which has closed and cancelled bookings until the water supply is fully restored.

In the meantime, the restaurant is offering extra bottles of water to locals.

"We need water to prepare the food and clean glasses and dishes and it's just not possible," he said.

"There is a good community here so we have water bottles for anyone who needs it.

"We drove to Glasgow to pick up 56 crates of water. We need to help each other out."

Sepa's national duty manager Wendy Thornton said: "Containment, currently in the form of booms and absorbent materials, has been put in place upstream close to the source of the spill.

"However, some oil may bypass the containment and there is still some oil present in upstream watercourses.

"We expect pockets of oil may continue to get washed downstream for some time."

She added: "Sepa will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts.

"Any impacts are most likely to be seen in the small watercourses next to the site of the spill."

Perth and Kinross Council said there had been no reports of any sightings of fuel sheen in the River Tay or Loch Tay since Saturday afternoon.

However it said monitoring of the loch and river would continue for some time.

Anyone who does see or smell fuel in the river or loch is urged to report it to Sepa.

A spokesperson said there were no concerns about the public drinking water supply in the Perth and Kinross Council area, since Killin is part of the Stirling Council area.