Warning issued to dog owners after oil leak at school contaminates river

Members of the public are being asked to prevent their pets to enter or drink water from the River Thurso after the leak.

Warning issued to dog owners after oil leak at Thurso High School contaminates river — Thurso High School: Odour to remain for 'some time'. Google Maps

Calum Loudon

19th Sep 2023

Posted in

People been warned about a river in the Highlands after heavy rainfall increased the contamination of an oil leak at a secondary school.

Works on temporary classrooms at Thurso High School are expected to be delayed after the contamination was discovered on Friday, September 15.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed that the leak has been stopped but residual oil in the surface water drainage system will likely cause an odour for “some time”.

The Highland Council’s Property Management team met SEPA onsite on Monday and it was discovered that heavy rainfall has increased the contamination of the oil into the River Thurso.

As a “precaution” members of the public are now being asked to avoid allowing their dogs to enter or drink the water from the river for the time being.

Economy and Infrastructure committee chair, councillor Ken Gowans said: “The Council is continuing to work with partner agencies, including SEPA to monitor and resolve the contamination caused by a heating oil leak from Thurso High School.

“Heavy rainfall on Monday, September 18, has increased the contamination of oil into the River Thurso around the Janet Street area and as a precautionary measure the public are now being asked to avoid allowing their animals/dogs to enter or drink the water from the River Thurso.”

The investigation works are expected to take up to two weeks.