Reservoirs blighted by litter louts
Scottish Water has urged visitors to reservoirs like Stirling’s North Third and Carron Valley to act responsibly and respect the environment.
The water authority said that in recent weeks there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour at reservoirs across Scotland including vandalism, fires and litter.
Last month Stirling volunteers slammed the behaviour of some irresponsible campers around the North Third Reservoir.
Campers and groups of youths had left behind tents and chairs, piles of bottles, and even a car battery, at the beauty spot in hills near Cambusbarron.
A small group of volunteers, sparked into action by outdoor instructor Susan Young of Broomridge, have been regularly clearing up the mess left behind.
And at Carron Valley Reservoir near Denny, Scottish Water pointed out youths have been putting their safety at risk by jumping off structures into the water.
Fences by the reservoir have also been vandalised to access the water as well as wild camping, fires, toileting and litter.
Scottish Water chief operating officer Peter Farrer said: “We are seeing a significant increase in the number of people visiting reservoirs and I understand the desire to get out and about especially with the restrictions which have been in place.
“However, the behaviour we have seen from a sizeable minority of people is unacceptable. Property including fencing has been vandalised, trees cut down for fires, fires set and left to burn uncontrolled, human waste left lying and litter discarded without any consideration for others or the environment.
“We have had incidents of people being in the water and jumping from reservoir towers.
“There are many hidden dangers in reservoirs as they are working assets and vital to our water supply network. Add to that, the fact that cold water shock could easily result in someone getting into real difficulty.
“My message is clear and simple: you’re welcome to visit but please behave appropriately. Leave no trace by taking your litter or other items away and disposing of them properly and respect the environment.”
Susan Young told the Observer last month her group of Stirling volunteers had been clearing up van loads of rubbish left behind at North Third Reservoir this summer. She added: “On one occasion we came across a fire which hadn’t been properly extinguished and had taken hold in the peat, which slowly burns underground and could easily have taken hold of the woodland and burned out of control.
“Each time the team has removed tents, bedding, clothes, food, chairs, barbecues both disposable and real ones, not to mention the hundreds of drink bottles and cans and a large car/van battery, and fishing lines - some still with hooks, which can be devastating to wildlife.
“All this rubbish has then to be taken to the tip - but because of the volume it is simply not feasible to separate out the recycling so it all has to go to landfill.
“This is just not acceptable behaviour. Each clearing trip takes about three to four hours, plus the time to take it to the tip.”
Scottish Water have pointed to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which offers guidance on the rights and responsibilities of the public and land managers such as Scottish Water.
For more information go to: https://www. scottishwater.co.uk/en/help%20and%20 resources/outdoor%20access%20code