Perth and Kinross Council has unanimously called for action to improve the water quality of a toxic loch which turned bright green last month.
The councillors want tighter controls on the amounts of phosphorus deposited into Loch Leven and to stop raw sewage ending up in the major tourist attraction.
Council leader Grant Laing has agreed to write to the Scottish minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan requesting action.
A motion - tabled by Liberal Democrat councillor Willie Robertson and Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert - was agreed when councillors met for the last time this year on Wednesday, December 21.
Loch Leven is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), a National Nature Reserve and a Special Protection Area (SPA).
However local councillors are growing “very concerned” about the water quality. While planning guidance was introduced to mitigate the impact of phosphorus generated by development in the area Kinross-shire councillors Willie Robertson and Dave Cuthbert pointed to a wider discharge issue.
Their motion stated: “The water in the loch is being enriched by phosphates entering the loch from agricultural run-off and treated effluent from the Milnathort and Kinross Waste Water Treatment Plants.
“This is leading to growing instances of algal blooms, some of which are toxic, making it unsafe for humans and animals alike.
“However, there is a further problem. Because of the shared sewage systems (carrying both sewage and road water) in Milnathort and Kinross, in periods of heavy rain, Scottish Water are forced to divert untreated sewage directly into the loch. This is a further major factor in the degradation of the water quality.”
Their motion called on the council’s SNP leader to request the environment secretary ask SEPA to introduce a weight limit on the amount of phosphorus deposited into Loch Leven.
They are also seeking “far tighter controls” to “stop Scottish Water depositing untreated sewage into Loch Leven and that all such overspill events are recorded and reported”.
Tabling the motion Kinross-shire councillor Willie Roberston said: “Loch Leven is one of Perth and Kinross’ major tourist attractions with an estimated 250,000 visits per year. It has the highest levels of environmental protection. It is an SSSI, a Ramsar site and a National Nature Reserve. It is home to a major RSPB reserve and visitor centre and is surrounded by the nationally popular Loch Leven Heritage Trail. The loch is managed by NatureScot.
“But now, during almost 12 months of the year the loch is affected by algal blooms - some of which are toxic to humans and animals. This council has to erect signs warning visitors not to go into the water and not to allow their dogs to swim in the water. How have we got here?”
Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert said: “Currently, there is no monitoring of how much untreated sewage is being discharged from the waterworks in Milnathort and Kinross.
“It is imperative that monitoring of phosphorus discharges from the wastewater treatment plants commences as soon as humanly possible and a limit must be set on how much phosphorus can be discharged from the wastewater treatment plants into Loch Leven.”
Council leader Grant Laing said: “I’m very happy to write [to the environment secretary] as the motion asks me to.”
This was unanimously agreed.
