Probe as paint is dumped in burn

An environmental watchdog has slammed the illegal dumping of paint and turps in Strathaven.

A tributary of the Powmillon Burn in Strathaven was full of bright red paint last week, sparking anger among residents.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were alerted to the incident and contacted Scottish Water who attended. SEPA have now warned the public not to tip pollutants such as paint into drainage and sewage systems.

One resident said: “That’s awful. Kids and many dogs play in that wee burn down nearer the primary school. Appalling.”

While another added: “Horrified to see the pollution in the wee burn that runs along the side of KP field. Stinking of paint. Who would do this?”

A spokeswoman for SEPA said: “On the evening of Wednesday, March 30, SEPA received a report of discoloured water in a tributary of the Powmillon Burn, Strathaven.

As the area is served by the public sewer system, SEPA alerted Scottish Water to the issue.

“Scottish Water attended the area on Thursday, March 31, and traced the incident to an illegal disposal of paint and turps to the watercourse, likely via a road drain. The incident was not ongoing at the time of the visit.

“SEPA would like to remind the public that polluting substances like oil, paint, paint thinners must not be disposed of into surface water drainage systems as these will often lead directly into nearby watercourses resulting in pollution of the watercourse.

“SEPA’s 24-hour pollution hotline is always available via our online reporting form or on 0800 80 70 60.”

Scottish Water echoed SEPA’s call for people not to dispose of such substances down drains because they can be damaging to the environment.