Disaster warning over silt spill

The River Nethan near Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire/Pic: Matthew Hird

Anglers have claimed that a spillage of silt could cause an "ecological disaster" in a Lanarkshire river.

Nethan Valley Angling Association said Logan Water had been affected after work at Logan Reservoir.

Scottish Water said silt escaped when the reservoir had been drained for essential maintenance.

But it said action had been taken to minimise the problem and no wildlife appeared to have suffered, except for fish in the reservoir.

Logan Water is one of a number of tributaries which feeds into the Nethan River, which in turn flows into the River Clyde.

This is utterly heartbreaking for those of us who have put so much work into maintaining the river Jimmy Delaney Nethan Valley Angling Association

The Nethan Valley Angling Association helps maintain the stretch of water by keeping inverts healthy and replenishing fish stocks.

One of its volunteers, Jimmy Delaney, from Larkhall, said the spillage had been "a disaster".

"When the sludge settles it smothers all the spawning fish and wipes out millions of aquatic invertebrates," he said.

"These are essential to the life of the river as they feed larger fish and other dependant wildlife like otters, heron, dippers and wagtails.

"This is utterly heartbreaking for those of us who have put so much work into maintaining the river and it's so frustrating that the authorities have been slow to take action."

Clean-up operation

Scottish Water said that silt escaped from Logan Reservoir when it was drained on 8 May for "necessary remedial works".

It said that after contacting the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) small dams were erected to control the spill.

An ecologist report was then commissioned for a "habitats survey" of the Logan Water.

This was important maintenance work for the public water supply Helen Lennox Scottish Water

Scottish Water said its environmental team was working on the issue and a clean-up operation would be undertaken in conjunction with Sepa.

It said the local angling club had been consulted and compensation had been discussed with regards to their stock.

Apart from some fish in the reservoir, Scottish Water said no wildlife appeared to have suffered.

The body's head of corporate affairs, Helen Lennox, said: "This was important maintenance work for the public water supply.

"It is essential that reservoirs are kept in good working order so we can ensure security of supply for our customers.

"Scottish Water takes its environmental obligations seriously and we apologise to the local community for the effects of this work.

"We will work to mitigate the impact of the silt in the water."

Sepa said it had been made aware of a problem with silt in Logan Water on 9 May but was still investigating.