Fears diesel spillage may have spread to second river

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has warned that a diesel spillage into the River Dochart in Perthshire may have spread to the River Tay.

Killin residents have been told they could face "several days" of disruption to water supplies after an attempted fuel theft at a petrol station caused a strong solvent taste in the water and in the air outside on Friday.

Bottled water is being delivered for a second day and locals have been warned not to use tap water for anything other than flushing toilets.

But on Saturday people and pets were warned not to enter the water in Loch Tay or River Tay in the Highland Perthshire or Stirling Council areas.

Stirling Council said there was evidence of some contamination in Loch Tay which may be travelling downstream into the River Tay.

It urged anyone taking water from the Tay to report any suspected contamination.

Sepa confirmed it had detected an intermittent oil sheen in the River Tay at Kenmore, downstream from the main source of the pollution.

The watchdog said a specialist clean-up contractor was working to reduce the environmental impacts of the spill.

It added: "Sepa are closely monitoring the situation and working with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts."

First Minister John Swinney said that there was "understandable concern" in Highland Perthshire about the implications of the diesel spillage.

Scottish Water said teams have been working round the clock since the alarm was raised and the local water treatment works was shut down as a precautionary measure.

John Griffin, water operations general manager, said: "Our priority is to protect public health by making sure no contaminated water enters the supply network."

He added specialist staff were providing advice to households and businesses on an individual level, while volunteers had been mobilised to help with bottled water.

Griffin said: "We are working incredibly hard to restore the treatment works and network to normal operations as quickly and safely as possible although this may take several days."

Customers have been warned that boiling the water will not make it safe to drink.

They have been urged not to use tap water for anything other than flushing toilets.

This includes drinking, cooking, washing, brushing teeth, feeding pets and the use of appliances such as coffee and ice machines that are connected to the mains supply.

Scottish Water said it was working closely with Sepa and NHS partners to monitor water quality and assess the network.

The company said water was being added to the local network to flush the pipe system.

Griffin added: "We would like to thank everyone who has been affected for their patience, cooperation and community spirit.

"Restoring safe, normal water supplies for the village is our absolute priority, and our teams will remain on site until that is achieved."

Door-to-door bottled water deliveries were carried out to every affected property on Friday and this will be repeated on Saturday.

A hot food van is also operating in Killin to assist residents who cannot prepare meals without access to safe tap water.

A spokesperson for Certas Energy, which operates the GULF Lix Toll site at Killin, said they were informed of a "fuel loss" on Friday morning following an "attempted theft which damaged one of our fuel tanks".

"Equipment was found on site that suggested there was an attempt to steal diesel from the tank," they added.

The spokesperson said they were "as concerned as everyone else" and that dealing with the impact of the incident was their "priority".

"We are now investigating to fully understand what happened, are engaging with the police, Sepa, the Health and Safety Executive and other specialists at the site. These investigations are ongoing," they said.

They were unable to confirm how the fuel entered the river, and if the leak had been contained.

Sepa said it had received several reports of contamination in the river on Thursday evening and overnight.

Scottish Water said it had closed intake to a water treatment works which had been affected and warned people not to use water from their taps.

Killin Community Council also posted on its Facebook page that residents were advised not to drink the tap water until further notice.

It described the event as "a major contamination incident" and said water tankers would be brought into the village to provide a temporary supply.

Scottish Water said the following postcodes had been affected by the spill.

It added that water from other reservoirs and treatment works was not affected, so people living in postcode areas other than those listed below could use their supplies as normal.

FK21 8TQ

FK21 8TN

FK21 8XD

FK21 8UY

FK21 8SH

FK21 8TB

FK21 8UT

FK21 8XA

FK21 8TD

FK21 8US

FK21 8UJ

FK21 8UW

FK21 8UR

FK21 8SW

FK21 8UZ

FK21 8UX

FK21 8TG

FK21 8TH

FK21 8UN

FK21 8TE

FK21 8XB

FK21 8SJ

FK21 8TL

FK21 8UH

FK21 8TF

FK21 8SS

FK21 8SN

FK21 8UL

FK21 8TJ

FK21 8SR

FK21 8TA

FK21 8SL

FK21 8XE

FK21 8TT

FK21 8TX

FK21 8TU

FK21 8TS

FK21 8TP

More information is available via Scottish Water's website and customers can also call 0800 0778 778 for help.

An information point for customer support is being located at McLaren Hall, Main Street, Killin, FK21 8TN.