Brothers upset to find pollution killing fish at Sanquhar, Forres

TWO brothers on a walk with their dad were shocked to find around 20 fish dying at a local beauty spot.

However, Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) moved quickly to address the issues arising from their discovery.

Applegrove pupils Ellis (10) and Alfie (8) Stalker were enjoying a walk when they spotted a Brown Trout in distress near a concrete pipe at the top of the fish ladder across the road from Sanquhar pond.

Ellis said: "We spotted one fish in the water then a bigger one. It was weird to see two there - we've never seen a fish on the ladder before. Then we counted more next to all this white stuff coming out of the pipe.

"They were going crazy and whenever they went near the cloud in the water they died."

Father and fellow nature-lover, Nick had left his phone at home but asked a passer-by to phone Scottish Water on their behalf.

Nick explained: "At about 11.30am on on Tuesday, June 23 we were walking around Sanquhar, something we've done every day during the coronavirus lockdown. We got to the fish ladder where around two weeks ago the boys had noticed a trickle of a trickle of a grey substance coming from the pipe. This time we saw about 20 decent sized trout - maybe 10 inches - dead or dying at the same spot. Whenever they hit the stream they immediately rolled onto their backs."

He added: "I think the liquid was fresh slurry. Some of it was a brownie-green colour. Ellis and Alfie were really uspet - they love animals and were up there this time with buckets to have a closer look at shrimp near the bridge."

With the help of their dad, the boys used their buckets to save two of the animals.

Nick said: "I scooped two of the trout - which were alive but suffering - up away from the stuff and the boys used their buckets to carry them over to the pond. One swam off straight away and the other did too, eventually."

On the way home Nick, Ellis and Alfie followed the Mosset down to the bridge behind Forres Academy and saw more fish that had been affected.

"We stopped our dog going in the water," said Ellis. "I love animals - I read about them and study them. I felt heartbroken and shocked to see this. I didn't know the water was dangerous."

Nick and his sons returned at around 2.20pm and spotted Scottish water digging at the bend on Sanquhar Road.

A Scottish Water spokesperson confirmed that, following reports of a pollutant entering the Mosset Burn, investigators immediately attended the site.

He said: "Checks were carried out and no issues were identified with the Scottish Water network. The trade effluent team worked to identify the source of the pollutant and SEPA were informed."

After investigation, Scottish Water confirmed they had found the source of the problem.

A spokesperson said: "Following sampling and further investigation, the issue at the Mosset Burn was identified as stemming from a cross connection at a property where the washing machine was discharging into the rain water system.

"We have contacted the customer to advise them of the necessary action that is needed to rectify the issue. SEPA has also been updated."