Update 6th March 2026 – SEPA update regarding ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin and associated watercourses

Date published: 06 March 2026

Environmental incident

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) continue to investigate the ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin and associated watercourses.

Friday 6th March

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“SEPA regulatory officers and experts from our science teams have been on site at the site of the pollution incident, near to Killin, throughout this week.

“Our investigation into the cause and environmental impact of the diesel spill is progressing but remains in its early stages. Throughout this time, we have been working with Police Scotland and other partner agencies to gather evidence. When our investigation is completed, we will consider all the options available to us under our enforcement policy and guidance, and relevant legislation.

“As with all investigations, SEPA need to obtain and secure evidence to determine whether any offences have been committed, which takes time and care. Published information about our investigations will be limited to avoid prejudicing the investigation or any potential legal proceedings.

“Further water quality sampling and ecology surveys were undertaken this week and are in the process of being analysed. These will help inform our understanding of the potential impact to the environment.

“Specialist remediation contractors which were engaged by the site operator remain on site and their work, overseen by SEPA, has continued to contain and minimise the environmental impact.

“A representative of SEPA attended a meeting of Killin Community Council on Tuesday 3rd March to share an update report with the local community outlining SEPA’s response and actions since the beginning of the pollution incident as well as highlighting our next steps.

“We will continue to engage with all relevant partners and provide updates to the local community over the forthcoming period as our response to this incident progresses.”

Tuesday 3rd March

SEPA's responsibilities in response to a pollution incident

SEPA are Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, responsible for protecting and improving the environment and human health. During and following pollution incidents SEPA’s responsibilities are across a number of areas.

We respond to pollution incidents by assessing environmental impact, investigating the cause – including identifying the substance(s) and how they entered the environment – and undertaking water quality sampling and sample analysis as appropriate.

SEPA’s role is to oversee the operational containment and clean-up as appropriate, which is principally carried out by relevant agencies and the responsible parties as appropriate. We provide advice to minimise impacts on the environment and ensure appropriate disposal.

SEPA experts provide specialist environmental advice to partner agencies and regulate compliance with environmental laws, considering enforcement action where necessary.

Receiving and responding to incident reports

• SEPA operates a pollution hotline (0800 80 70 60) for reporting environmental incidents such as pollution to water or land, dead fish, and hazardous spills.
• When we receive notifications we respond by assessing the severity, environmental risk, and any potential intervention which may be required. In many cases a remote response is sufficient to protect and improve the environment

Determining environmental damage and regulatory oversight

• SEPA are the competent authority for land damage and non marine water damage under environmental liability regulations.
• When operators cause or threaten significant environmental damage, SEPA must be notified and may require preventative or remedial action.

Ensuring legal compliance and enforcement

Allowing pollution is a criminal offence. SEPA has authority to investigate incidents and pursue enforcement action where necessary.

Directing preventative and remedial actions

If a spill occurs, SEPA may instruct or require the responsible operator to:

• Stop or limit further pollution,
• Take immediate preventative measures,
• Undertake clean up and remediation to restore the environment to its previous state. These actions may cover contamination of land, rivers, groundwater, or habitats.

Coordinating with other regulators and agencies

Where relevant, SEPA works with:

• Local authorities and emergency responders in larger incidents.
• Marine Directorate (for marine waters),
• NatureScot (for protected species/habitats),

Providing pollution prevention guidance

SEPA jointly publishes Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP) to help organisations prevent spills and prepare incident response plans. This includes guidance on:

• Assessing risks,
• Preparing site plans and drainage maps,
• Having spill kits and equipment available,
• Training for spill response.

More information:

Killin/River Dochart diesel spill – Resident Q&A factsheet

This factsheet provides clear answers to the most common questions residents have been asking since the diesel spill affecting the River Dochart and local water supply.

What happened?

A damaged fuel tank at the Gulf Lix Toll site operated by Certas Energy released diesel into the River Dochart. Emergency teams responded quickly with containment measures including booms, absorbent materials, and removal of contaminated soil.

Is the pollution still spreading?

SEPA has confirmed that while the main source has been contained, small pockets of diesel may continue to wash downstream for some time, especially following higher river flows. SEPA continues daily sampling and on site monitoring.

Why wasn’t a boom put on the River Tay?

Remediation efforts focused on containment at source. A containment boom is a temporary floating barrier which is used to contain an oil spill. Deploying booms in fast flowing river channels far downstream would have been operationally challenging and diverted essential resource. The visual assessments SEPA conducted indicated that source containment, coupled with downstream dispersion and dilution, was optimal.

Is the tap water safe to drink now?

Yes. After rigorous testing and system cleaning, Scottish Water has confirmed that drinking water is safe again. If you have any concerns about your water supply, please contact Scottish Water directly.

Is the water safe to swim in/use?

Advice on this will be provided by the Council. The Council and partner agencies agree that normal recreational activities are safe to resume, however, please remain vigilant and if you notice any residual pollution whilst in and around the water you should avoid it and keep pets away from it

What should I do if I notice an oily smell or film in the water?

Residual pockets of diesel may still appear, so prompt reporting helps the response teams act quickly. SEPA operates a pollution hotline (0800 80 70 60) for reporting environmental incidents such as pollution to water or land, dead fish, and hazardous spills.

Is there still a risk to wildlife?

Yes, some risk remains. Diesel can temporarily impact fish, aquatic insects, and riverbed habitats. SEPA are conducting ecological assessments to understand the full extent of the impact and to monitor recovery.

How long will the environment take to recover?

Water quality should continue to improve over the coming weeks. Wildlife and habitats may take months, depending on how much diesel entered sediments and how often residues are re mobilised. SEPA will continue monitoring until recovery is confirmed.

What has been done to protect the community?

Partners have worked together to ensure that a comprehensive response was provided. SEPA are monitoring the work being undertaken by the site operator’s remediation contractors to ensure that it is as effective as possible. They have installed booms and absorbent barriers to contain the spill, excavated contaminated soils and removed oil where possible.

What should residents do now?

• Use water normally unless new advice is issued.
• Keep away from areas of the river where oil is visible.
• Report any pollution signs (sheen, smell, dead fish).
• Follow updates from SEPA, Scottish Water, and Stirling Council.

Who is in charge of the response and cleanup?

The response is coordinated by:

• SEPA – environmental regulation and monitoring
• Scottish Water – protection of drinking water supply
• Stirling Council – community support and coordination, advising on public health in coordination with the NHS
• Site operators and specialist contractors – cleanup and containment
• Police Scotland – ongoing enquiries into the cause of the incident

Local support and contact information

Residents can access help, information, and updates through the following local channels:

Local Community Support

• Killin Community Council (Resilience Team)
Provides local updates, support to vulnerable residents, and coordination of volunteer assistance.
• Community Facebook page/noticeboards for rapid updates

Stirling Council

• General enquiries and community support: 01786 404040
• Website: stirling.gov.uk

The Council has been liaising with Scottish Water and SEPA to assess the extent of contamination and provide resident support.

Scottish Water

• Customer Helpline: 0800 077 8778
• Website for updates: scottishwater.co.uk

Responsible for water safety, testing and providing alternative supplies when needed.

SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)

• Pollution Hotline: 03000 99 66 99 or Report an environmental event to SEPA
• Website for updates: beta.sepa.scot/news

Report sightings of oil, discoloured water, or environmental concerns.

Police Scotland

• Non emergency: 101

Investigating the circumstances around the tank damage linked to the spill.

Partner communications

Scottish Water: Killin water supply – all restrictions lifted

Friday 27th February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“SEPA continues to focus on fully determining the environmental impact of this pollution incident by analysing water samples taken this week. Remediation contractors engaged by the site operator remain on site and their work is ongoing to clean up diesel from the surrounding area.

“We expect pockets of oil may continue to get washed downstream for some time and have been in contact with abstractors to keep them informed. We continue to engage with all relevant partners as our investigation into the pollution incident moves forward.”

Thursday 26th February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“Investigations into the cause of the pollution are still ongoing and we are engaging with all relevant partners including Scottish Water, Police Scotland and local authorities as this progresses.

“Our focus remains on analysing samples taken this week to help determine the full impacts of the pollution on the local environment as well as monitoring the containment and clean-up works on site which are ongoing.”

Wednesday 25th February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“SEPA maintains a daily presence on site in Killin to monitor the containment and clean-up works being undertaken.

“Containment methods in the form of booms and absorbent materials, which have been in place at the source of the pollution since Saturday, remain effective and we have not received any new pollution reports today. We do however expect small pockets of oil to continue to get washed downstream for some time.

“Water samples continue to be analysed and will be used to inform our monitoring strategy for the affected areas moving forward.

“Our investigations into the cause of the pollution are still ongoing and we are engaging with all relevant partners including Police Scotland and Stirling Council as this progresses.”

Tuesday 24th February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“SEPA officers remain in attendance on site to further assess the impacts of the pollution incident and monitor the containment and clean-up works being undertaken.

“Water samples that were taken on Monday are now in the process of being analysed. Results to date, combined with survey work of the impacted land, which was today undertaken by SEPA mapping specialists, will be used to inform our monitoring strategy for the affected areas moving forward.

“Visual inspections today also indicate that the situation is continuing to stabilise and containment methods at the source of the pollution incident are proving effective. The east end of Loch Tay remains clear and no impacts were evident in the River Tay.

“Our investigations into the cause of the pollution are still ongoing and we are engaging with all relevant partners including Police Scotland and Stirling Council as this progresses.”

Monday 23rd February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, David Ogilvie, said:

“Investigations are continuing into the ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin.

“Since the source of the pollution was identified on Friday 20th February, SEPA officers have been in attendance on site assessing impacts, and the progress of the specialist remediation contractor’s clean-up and containment works. They have been supported by a number of specialist staff providing advice on various aspects of the response.

“Water sampling was carried out this morning (Monday 23rd February) and will be followed up with further sampling throughout the week, when any impacts are more likely to have become apparent, to help determine the full impacts of the pollution.

“A visual inspection of the Loch Tay and River Tay today has shown that the situation has begun to stabilise. The east end of Loch Tay has remained clear since midday on Saturday, and no impacts were evident in the River Tay from Kenmore to Aberfeldy.

“Containment, currently in the form of booms and absorbent materials, was arranged by the site operator and put in place upstream close to the source of the spill. We are continuing to assess the progress of this and the ongoing work to clean-up diesel from the surrounding area.

“However, as there is still some oil present in upstream watercourses, rising river levels mean that it is possible some oil may bypass the containment measures. We expect pockets of oil may continue to get washed downstream for some time and we have been in contact with abstractors to keep them informed.

“SEPA will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts. Any impacts are most likely to be seen in the small watercourses next to the site of the spill.”

Sunday 22nd February

SEPA's National Duty Manager, Wendy Thornton, said:

“Investigations are continuing into the ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin.

“Since the source of the pollution was identified on Friday 20th February, SEPA officers have been in attendance assessing impacts, and the progress of the specialist remediation contractor’s clean-up and containment works as well as determining whether any further measures are required to reduce the environmental impact of this spill.

“This morning (Sunday 22nd February), our officers have carried out a visual inspection of the Loch Tay and River Tay and the situation has improved. The east end of Loch Tay was clear, and no impacts were evident in the River Tay from Kenmore to Aberfeldy.

“Containment, currently in the form of booms and absorbent materials, has been put in place upstream close to the source of the spill. However, some oil may bypass the containment and there is still some oil present in upstream watercourses. We expect pockets of oil may continue to get washed downstream for some time.

“SEPA will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts. Any impacts are most likely to be seen in the small watercourses next to the site of the spill.”

Saturday 21st February

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“SEPA are continuing to investigate the ongoing oil pollution incident within the River Dochart, near Killin.

“Officers were on site on Friday 20th February and identified the source of the pollution. A specialist clean-up contractor has been working at the site and is carrying out works to reduce the environmental impact of this spill.

“Over the weekend, SEPA officers will continue attending the site to assess progress with the clean-up and to determine any other actions required to minimise the release of oil into the River Dochart.

“Our officers have detected an intermittent oil sheen present in the River Tay at Kenmore which is downstream from the main source of the pollution which we appreciate will be of great concern to businesses and communities in the area. SEPA are closely monitoring the situation and working with local authorities and Scottish Water to help manage any impacts.

“We would like to thank those who reported the incident to SEPA and encourage anyone who witnesses a pollution incident to contact us immediately on 0800 80 70 60 or by submitting an online report with as much information as possible.”

Friday 20th February

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:

“SEPA received several reports of oil within the River Dochart, near Killin, on Thursday evening and overnight.

“Officers are on site this morning (Friday 20th February) to identify the source and investigations are ongoing.