Investigations are underway after raw sewage was discovered in water bodies at two separate locations.
Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust staff came across two pollution sites and they said that the spillage are “directly related to Scottish Water treatment activities”.
The first spillage was uncovered on Friday whilst members of the trust were replacing tree protectors.
They said: “We found what appeared to be untreated sewage coming out of the outflow culvert emanating from the Fintry Water Treatment Works.
“The right hand side of the river was covered in grey sludge and it was obvious that this was a discharge of raw sewage.
“From the state of the river bed it looked as if this seepage had been ongoing for some time.
“We contacted Scottish Water and SEPA and have since been informed that there was an issue within the works and that repairs will be made.”
The second spillage was found on Tuesday whilst trust members were measuring out a new tree planting site on the Kirkhouse Burn. They added: “We came across another sewage leak, this time it was bubbling up from a hole in the ground and draining into the Kirkhouse, just upstream of the Killearn water treatment works.
“Once again it was quite apparent that there was raw sewage in this leak and we again contacted Scottish Water and SEPA. We have since learned that there is a discharge from a pipe that feeds into the waste water plant and that repairs to the pipe will have to be made.
“It is our intention to visit these sites over the next few days to make sure that the remedial works highlighted above are undertaken as stated.”
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The trust went on to highlight issues over “ongoing problems” in the Endrick and Blane Valleys with waste water treatment and hit out at a “chronic lack of investment”.
They said: “What these incidents show is that there are ongoing problems in the Endrick and Blane Valleys with waste water treatment.
“A chronic lack of investment in these local facilities, exacerbated by a massive growth in population over the last 25 years, is leading to ever more common concerns around these plants and what they are depositing into the rivers in the local area.
“Without significant investment and upgrade at these works, we believe the plans to add to the housing stock around Killearn and Fintry are just going to make this situation worse.”
A Scottish Water spokesperson told the Observer: “We are unaware of any issues at Fintry Waste Water treatment Works and have adhered to all licence requirements at this location as set out by SEPA. However, investigations will be carried out and action will be taken if it is deemed necessary.
“We can confirm that investigations are currently under way at Killearn Waste Water Treatment Works to establish the full circumstances surrounding any incident. CCTV surveys are being carried out to assess whether the issue is as a result of Scottish Water infrastructure. We are also working with the local land owner to ensure the matter is resolved.
“Scottish Water takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously and we are committed to transforming our waste water network across Scotland to help protect its water environments.”
A spokesperson for SEPA said: “SEPA was made aware on Friday, January 14, of a suspected polluting discharge to the Endrick Water. This discharge was thought to be coming from Scottish Water’s Fintry Sewage Treatment Works. SEPA informed Scottish Water who have since taken action to ensure that this pollution has stopped and that a clean up of the area has been completed. Investigations by SEPA and Scottish Water are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.”
“SEPA became aware of a reported discharge of sewage effluent to the Kirkhouse Burn on Tuesday, January 18. SEPA contacted Scottish Water who investigated the area of sewer in question and have found that remedial works in the sewer are required pending further investigatory work. This work is currently ongoing and SEPA will be continue to working with Scottish Water to ensure that a resolution is found as soon as possible.”
Anyone who spots potential pollution incidents to SEPA by going to www.sepa.org.uk/report.
