The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Safety fears over visitors’ behaviour at reservoirs
WARNING: Scottish Water says facilities hit by vandalism and reckless swimmers
Campers and daytrippers are risking their own and public safety at Tayside’s reservoirs, it has been warned.
Scottish Water said its reservoirs have become the target of vandals, dirty campers and reckless swimmers as lockdown has eased.
Facilities in Dundee and across Perthshire have been highlighted.
Managers fear the problem will be exacerbated during this weekend’s predicted heatwave.
Incidents of vandalism to property, damage to trees and fires being lit and left unattended have all been recorded.
Littering has also been an increasing issue, while tents have been discarded and human waste left behind.
Reports of people jumping off water towers and swimming in the freezing water have been recorded.
Scottish Water said issues have occurred at reservoirs Lintrathen and Backwater, which supply water to Dundee and Perth and Loch Turret, near Crieff.
Gareth and Claire Finn, who run the Lodge of the Loch and the Wee Bear Cafe at Lintrathen Loch, outside Kirriemuir, said they counted 14 tents last weekend but thought more were hidden in the wooded area.
Gareth said: “We never normally get this number of people camping here.
“I have no objection to people camping but surely there is no need to leave this amount of litter.”
Scottish Water said it had become increasingly frustrated at the “irresponsible behaviour of some visitors to the area, including so-called wild campers.”
Peter Farrer, chief operating officer, Scottish Water, 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. My message is clear and simple: you’re welcome to visit but please behave appropriately.”
Brian McCarthy, Scottish Water’s reservoir manager, moved to assure the public there is no threat to the supply.
“All drinking water is monitored against stringent regulatory requirements and our treatment processes are designed to achieve these standards, but we would obviously urge people not to leave human waste near raw water reservoirs like Lintrathen in the first place. We want everyone in the area to be able to enjoy the amenities around the reservoirs, as we do at reservoirs throughout Scotland, and to do so in a responsible way.”