No clean drinking water for second day after river fuel spill in Killin

Residents in a village in Stirlingshire are without clean drinking water for a second day after diesel spilled into a nearby river.

Scottish Water says it is “working incredibly hard” to restore normal supply to residents in Killin, as hundreds of water bottles were handed out.

Residents have been told not to drink the water after oil was spilt into the nearby River Dochart, which runs into Loch Tay, on Thursday evening.

Certas Energy, which operates the Gulf Lix Toll site near the village, confirmed that the major incident was caused by a botched diesel robbery at the temporarily closed petrol station.

Around 500 households and businesses around Killin have been told not to use their tap water for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth or washing until further notice – and to only use it for flushing toilets.

Residents in Killin have been told not to drink the water Scottish Water

Clean-up attempts at Killin after a fuel spill into the River Dochart Scottish Water

The attempted theft caused damage to a fuel tank, resulting in a loss of diesel, which leaked into the nearby river.

A spokesperson for Certas Energy said: “Certas Energy, operator of the Gulf Lix Toll site at Killin, is as concerned as everyone else at the impact of this incident on the local community and the local environment. This is our priority.

“We were informed of a fuel loss at the site on Friday morning following an attempted robbery which damaged one of our fuel tanks. Equipment was found on site that suggested there was an attempt to steal diesel from the tank.

“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.”

Residents in Killin have been told not to drink the water after oil was spilt Rob Jamieson

Residents have been warned the situation may persist for several days.

On Saturday, Scottish Water said it was attempting to clean the contamination from the water system.

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

“We are doing everything we can to support customers who have been affected by providing reliable alternative supplies while the normal supply is unavailable.

“That includes specialist staff who can provide advice to households and businesses on an individual level. Volunteers are also being mobilised to help with bottled water.

“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.”

He added: “We are actively tankering water into the local network to flush the pipe system and to allow customers to flush their toilets.

“This will also ensure that when the network can be brought back into normal operation, it does so safely and with the highest levels of water quality assurance.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “SEPA are continuing to investigate the ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin.

“Officers were on site on Friday, February 20, and identified the source of the pollution. A specialist clean-up contractor has been working at the site and is carrying out works to reduce the environmental impact of this spill.

“Over the weekend, SEPA officers will continue attending the site to assess progress with the clean-up and to determine any other actions required to minimise the release of oil into the River Dochart.

“Our officers have detected an intermittent oil sheen present in the River Tay at Kenmore which is downstream from the main source of the pollution which we appreciate will be of great concern to businesses and communities in the area.

“SEPA are closely monitoring the situation and working with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts.

“We would like to thank those who reported the incident to SEPA and encourage anyone who witnesses a pollution incident to contact us immediately on 0800 80 70 60 or by submitting an online report with as much information as possible.”