Vital drinking water supplies get extra protection

Vital drinking water supplies are to be protected from pesticides and other pollutants.

The Loch of Lintrathen near Kirriemuir is one of six water supplies targeted by Scottish Water to help prevent substances from entering lochs and rivers which feed water treatment works.

Measures supported by the water company’s scheme now include cultivation and drilling along the contour of slopes, creation of seepage barriers in ditches and drains under farm tracks.

The company’s water quality regulation manager Peter Brown said: “Drinking water is easier to treat if it arrives at our works in the best possible condition.

“That’s why, working together with land managers, owners and tenants, we launched an incentive scheme last April to support approaches to prevent pollution from entering our water supply system, helping to protect this vital resource.

“We’ve been delighted with the response to the scheme and we’ve recently identified additional measures that can be supported and would encourage anyone with an interest to come forward and help play a part in enhancing drinking water standards.”