Warning to keep pets out of river after Thurso oil spill
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People in Thurso are being warned to keep pets and themselves away from the river after an oil leak contaminated the water.
The leak from a heating oil tank at Thurso High School is being investigated and mitigation measures have been put in place.
However, after heavy rainfall this week, oil could clearly be seen in the River Thurso.
A warning notice close to the river, installed on Monday by Highland Council’s environmental health department in association with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), tells people it is a “sensible precaution” to stay clear of the pollution.
It reads: “An oil spill has affected Thurso River. The pollution is affecting the river downstream of the high school/cemetery area. It is a sensible precaution to avoid contact with the oil, and to prevent pets from entering the water.”
A spokeswoman for the environment agency said: “Sepa can confirm that the leak has been stopped but residual oil is in the surface water drainage system and will likely cause an odour for some time.
“Due to the heavy rainfall some of the oil which remained in the system has washed through at greater quantities. Oil spill contractors, in liaison with Sepa, are working to mitigate the impacts to the River Thurso.”
Highland Council said that it has been advised by Sepa that the impact on the environment is minor and likely to be short-lived but the advice to the public is to stay away from the water and not to allow animals to enter or drink the river water until the clean-up has concluded.
The council’s environmental health team is erecting advice signs in the area and will share the message via its social media platforms and the council website.
Cllr Ken Gowans, economy and infrastructure committee chairman, said: “The council is continuing to work with partner agencies, including Sepa, to monitor and resolve the contamination caused by a heating oil leak from Thurso High School.
“Heavy rainfall on Monday has increased the contamination of oil into the River Thurso around the Janet Street area and, as a precautionary measure, the public are now being asked to avoid allowing their animals/dogs to enter or drink the water from the River Thurso.”
The local authority added that specialist contractors continue to manage oil saturation devices – known as “socks” – that have been put in place in various locations to absorb the heating oil.
Works were continuing on Tuesday to create a dam-like structure which is planned to further limit the oil contamination leaving the high school site.
Meanwhile, the games hall at the school, where the leak originated, is being monitored to ascertain how much oil is below the building, and what remedial works will be required to treat any contamination.
It is hoped that the bulk of any works can take place during the October holidays to minimise disruption.
Specialist contractors will this week deploy photoionization detectors within the games hall to establish levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present.
The council says that, if the results of this monitoring are favourable, use of the hall may be permitted subject to suitable risk assessment and any required mitigation measures such as additional ventilation.
