Perthshire Village Faces Water Crisis After Oil Spill in River Dochart
Residents in the Perthshire village of Killin have been issued a strict warning to avoid drinking tap water following a major oil contamination incident in the River Dochart. Authorities have declared a public health emergency, with the water supply shut down and a ban expected to last for several days.
Immediate Actions and Public Health Advisory
Scottish Water took swift action on Friday morning, closing the intake to the treatment works after reports of oil in the river surfaced on Thursday evening. Samples are being collected from the water network to assess the extent of the contamination.
Householders and businesses are advised not to use tap water for any purpose involving consumption or personal hygiene. This includes drinking, food preparation, washing, making babies' feeds, brushing teeth, bathing, or feeding pets. Boiling the water will not render it safe, and drinks or ice dispensing machines connected to the mains should also be avoided. Mains water can only be used for flushing toilets during this incident.
Response and Support from Authorities
Bottled drinking water is being made available to residents, with collection points being established and door-to-door deliveries commencing on Friday afternoon. An information point for customer support has been set up at McLaren Hall on Main Street in Killin.
John Griffen, Scottish Water's head of customer water services, emphasised the priority of public health, stating, "We appreciate the inconvenience this advice will bring, but our priority has to be the protection of public health. We anticipate this disruption to last several days and thank customers for their patience."
The incident management team is collaborating with NHS and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to monitor the situation. SEPA officers are on site to identify the source of the oil spill, with investigations ongoing after several reports were received on Thursday evening and overnight.
Community Outreach and Further Updates
Stirling Council is liaising with Scottish Water and SEPA to coordinate the response, affecting council services and properties. Residents are encouraged to check Scottish Water's website for the latest updates and to share information with neighbours, particularly those without access to social media or who may need additional support.
Daily hand-delivered letters will update customers on progress toward restoring normal supply. Further announcements will be posted on the council's Facebook page as they become available. The community is urged to check in on vulnerable individuals during this challenging time.
