Following our visit yesterday where we discovered a slurry pollution situation at a farm in the Barlewan catchment, I am pleased to report that the landowners have taken our concerns on board and cleaned up the affected area. I am grateful to them for their prompt action. Whilst there’s no denying that the situation should never have occurred, at least now, immediate steps have been taken to correct things. The entire area has been scraped and a bund erected to prevent any slurry reaching the burn. As I understand it, slurry has been leaking through cracked concrete and this will need to be addressed to rectify the situation for the long term.
Following yesterdays concerns, the landowner immediately set about improving things. This bund will prevent a repeat of the situation we found until more extensive measures are put in place.
The entire area has been scraped down to a firm base. This is much appreciated action.
SEPA have been informed and we hope that they will provide further advice and guidance to the landowners who are keen to prevent any repeat of this situation.
It’s very easy to keep criticising this type of incident and farm performance where this occurs, but we shouldn’t forget to praise those that once made aware of their failings, step up to the mark and improve things.
Hi, I do a few otter surveys and other wildlife and have found a 2 polluted burns one that feeds into the Girvan and one that feeds into the Water of Fail River Ayr. You may know about these polluted burns but I will give you the sites and go from there. The Girvan trib is the Balsaggart burn it is clean at the Auchalton Meadow meadows reserve but at the road bridge NS328045 it is running white and stinks a large hose is laying on the verge at the bridge.this is before it runs through Balsaggart Glen to the west.
The River Ayr -Water of Fail polluted burn has no name on the map but its confluence with the Water of Fail is at NS454264 just west of the natgrid pylons the burn runs from the west through Coilsfield Mains and Outmain.This burn is bad and look dead at the confluence The burn is smelt before seen with the same white scum coating all and the water running milky, this continues down to the rail bridge before being diluted but from the bridge in Failford water is still milky not clear and all that going into into the Ayr Gorge. Hope this helps but both are on going and have been for a long time a mass of flies are on the rocks with the scum exposed I have a couple of photos showing the demarcation line between the polluted burn and the Water of Fail.
I walked through from Tarbolton and was shocked at the total disrespect the people in that area have for the rivers with mass of old cars, fridges, farm junk dead cattle bales of stuff and the normal bottles cans it is a wonder there is any fish at all. keep up the good work. Steve
Thanks for this Stephen. Your concern is much appreciated and I will inform SEPA of these pollution sources/points. We have raised concerns over the burn at the Fail before and will again. The Balsaggart Burn should not be like this either and I’ll investigate further.
It is always helpful to know how and who you should report pollution to. Always call SEPA immediately on discovery of pollution. The Ayr office deals with most Ayrshire incidents and can be reached on 01292 294000 (24 hours). If outside office hours the call will automatically transfer to someone who will take your complaint. Always ask for an incident number so that you will receive notification of any action or the results of their investigation. If you wish, please also let the Trust know and we will attempt to keep an eye on these areas and monitor impacts on the fish populations if possible.