Killin 'major contamination incident': What we know so far

Over 500 homes and businesses in one village were unable to drink the tap water for five days after fuel was spilt into a nearby river.

The major contamination incident was reported in the River Dochart, which runs into Loch Tay, last Thursday.

Scottish Water’s specialist incident management team were dispatched to the scene near Killin, where the local treatment works draws water from.

The diesel spill was traced back to a damaged tank at the temporarily closed Gulf Lix Toll site near the village, operated by Certas Energy.

The company initially claimed the damage was caused by an attempted fuel theft.

The tap water was eventually declared safe to drink following “rigorous sampling” on Tuesday.

The water is currently being temporarily tankered into the network from elsewhere while work continues to prepare the local water treatment works for its return to full operation.

A multi-agency investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the environmental incident is ongoing.

Video of damaged fuel tank

A video circulating on social media appears to show the tanker, which leaked litres of diesel into the nearby river.

In the footage, a metal valve pipe is shown broken away from the tank, resulting in a trail of thick black fuel travelling through the nearby gorse land into the water.

The fuel seen in the River Dochart Rob Jamieson

Residents claim that oil was visible in the river from 3pm on Thursday, and that reports of the contamination were made to SEPA that night.

From the video, it is extremely difficult to tell whether the pipe was deliberately broken off or if the incident was an accident.

The footage also shows contractors AKN Build on site at the temporarily closed petrol station. A workman states that they are carrying out the concrete work for Certas and not working on the damaged tank.

The ‘botched fuel robbery’ claim

Certas Energy initially claimed in a statement to STV News that the contamination incident was caused by an attempted fuel theft, which they became aware of on Friday morning.

They stated that the equipment found in the area suggested that a robbery had been attempted.

Police Scotland has confirmed that enquiries into the cause are still ongoing, but no crime has been established.

Certas Energy also stated that they were engaging with SEPA, the Health and Safety Executive and other specialists following the spill.

However, the HSE has told STV News they “have not been made aware of this incident”.

In their latest statement, Certas Energy confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and all evidence has been passed to the police.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our team, alongside Scottish Water, SEPA, and other agencies, has been working continuously since Friday to address the impact of the incident.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. As part of these enquiries, Police Scotland is being provided with all relevant evidence from the scene.

“The tank, which was the source of the loss, has been contained. Our focus is now on remediation work, which is being led by Certas Energy in close coordination with the relevant agencies. We would like to thank all partners involved for their continued support in managing what remains a sensitive situation.”