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Warning after pollution leaks into River Farg and Earn Warning after pollution leaks into River Farg and Earn
(about 2 hours later)
Residents and farmers have been urged to stay away from a Tayside river after it was contaminated with chemicals.Residents and farmers have been urged to stay away from a Tayside river after it was contaminated with chemicals.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water are investigating the pollution on the River Farg, and the River Earn which it flows into.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water are investigating the pollution on the River Farg, and the River Earn which it flows into.
Aluminium sulphate was released into the river from the Glenfarg Water Treatment Works overnight.Aluminium sulphate was released into the river from the Glenfarg Water Treatment Works overnight.
Drinking water is not affected, but people are advised to avoid the river.Drinking water is not affected, but people are advised to avoid the river.
Residents reported seeing the river running milky-coloured, with froth on the surface through the morning.Residents reported seeing the river running milky-coloured, with froth on the surface through the morning.
A spokesman for Scottish Water said the body was working together with Sepa to investigate the pollution immediately downstream from the Glenfarg Reservoir.A spokesman for Scottish Water said the body was working together with Sepa to investigate the pollution immediately downstream from the Glenfarg Reservoir.
He said: "We are advising residents in Glenfarg village to stay away from the river at this time and also river users such as farmers, fishermen and recreational users to avoid using the river at this time. A multi-agency risk management group including NHS Tayside, Perth and Kinross Council, Health Protection Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Water has been set up.
"The source of the pollution is an incident at the Glenfarg Water Treatment Works, where a release of a quantity of aluminium sulphate into the River Farg occurred overnight. The spill has been contained, and additional water from the Glenfarg Reservoir was released into the river to dilute the impact of the chemical.
"Drinking water supplies for Scottish Water customers are not affected and we do not anticipate any impact on private water supplies due to their location. However a quantity of the chemical has made its way downstream to Glenfarg and Aberargie, and the spokesman said householders and businesses in the area should avoid contact with the river until the risk management group declared the danger was over.
"We apologise to any river users inconvenienced by this event. Public health medicine consultant Dr Jackie Hyland added: "Public health is a priority and action has been taken to prevent risk to the public and to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."
"We are collaborating in a multi-agency approach with regulators and health professionals to ensure the safety of the public and the environment is protected."