D10: Impact of Contaminants - Hydromod

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Integrated Water Resource Management for Important Deep European Lakes and their Catchment Areas EUROLAKES D10: Impact of Contaminants FP5_Contract No.: EVK1-CT1999-00004 Version: 4.0 Date: 25/07/01 File: D10-vers.4.0.doc Page 86 of 136 rocks gives a good indication of the potential natural richness of the lake waters draining from them. Loch Lomond is an important source of portable water for two supply schemes, with a total ultimate yield of 454 megalitres per day. Because of its good water quality - the European Community classification of water intended for humans consumption grades Loch Lomond the highest quality - Loch Lomond is also important as a reservoir for public water supply and hydro-electricity generation at Loch Sloy hydroelectric power station [SEPA 2000c]. Data of Land Use with Relevance to the Water Supply In the two northern sub-catchments, the Falloch (area 113 km²) and the Inveruglas (area 158 km²), lie entirely to the north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault, an important geological festure which crosses the southern part of the lake. The land is used for upland sheep-grazing (87 % of the catchment area, although forestry is also important (8 % of the catchment area). The northern sub-catchments are relatively underpopulated with little urban development. The two southern sub-catchments, the Fruin (area of 161 km²) and the Endrick (area of 264 km²), lie to the south and east of the Highland Boundary Fault. Here is more arable farming (26 %) although large areas are still used fore rough grazing (56 %) and forestry (13 %). The 'Loch Lomond Catchment Management Report' published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) states that Loch Lomond and its catchment are an important water supply, essential for the social and economic well-being of Central Scotland. However, these resources are coming under increasing pressure from potentially conflicting uses and activities, including recreation and tourism, forestry, agriculture, power generation and water abstraction. Approximately 9 % of the catchment is covered by water, compared to 35 % for agricultural land and 13 % for forestry. Urban and industrial areas in comparison account for less than 2 % of the land cover [SEPA]. Agriculture has played an important role in shaping the landscape and defining the character of the Loch Lomond catchment. The report says forestry plays an integral role in the landscape and history of the Loch Lomond catchment. In the past, forestry practices have caused a number of environmental problems within the catchment. However, recent years have seen attempts, including the introduction of the Forest and Water Guidelines, to counteract many of these negative impacts. The restructuring of commercial woodlands and an increase in the development of native and riparian woodlands have also been beneficial [SEPA]. Pollution Sources in the Catchment Area of Loch Lomond Due to the size of lochs and the diluted nature of any pollutants, water quality problems often take a long time to become apparent.Forestry, in particular coniferous forestry, exacerbates the problem by scavenging atmospheric pollutants [SEPA 2000c]. Along the shore of the lake there are numerous single dwellings, camping and caravan parks, youth hostels, hotels and small villages which discharges effluents directly or indirectly into Loch Lomond. Discharges are also received from the surrounding forest
Integrated Water Resource Management for Important Deep European Lakes and their Catchment Areas EUROLAKES D10: Impact of Contaminants FP5_Contract No.: EVK1-CT1999-00004 Version: 4.0 Date: 25/07/01 File: D10-vers.4.0.doc Page 87 of 136 and farm lands. Some of the local sewage treatment plants discharge excellent quality effluents but others suffer from inadequate maintenance or erratic loading. Luss village and Luss campsite are now served by a sewage treatment plant, having previously used individual septic tanks. At other recreational sites septic tanks are provided which should have sufficient capacity to receive the sewage from a full campsite or caravan park. On the loch itself there are many cruising boats fitted with chemical toilets [SEPA 200c]. A number of potential damaging activities within the Loch Lomond catchment have been identified by SEPA as threatening the lake's good water quality status. These activities are as follows: — Sewage effluents leading to increased nutrient and organic loading, — Farming resulting in increased use of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and problems associated with leakage from silage and slurry tanks, — Afforestation causing increases in suspended soils and turbidity, and the use of fertilisers and pesticides. Sewage, urban and agricultural run-off and direct contamination through livestock watering can compromise water quality. The main potential sources of organic and toxic pollution within the Loch Lomond catchment include agriculture (sheep dip, silage, slurry, pesticides and organic fertilisers), forestry (organic fertilisers, herbicides and fuel spillage), recreation (disposal of chemical toilet contents, hydrocarbon pollution from boat exhausts and fuel spillage) and waste disposal. Because there is very little industry within the catchment pollution by industrial chemicals is less of a problem [SEPA]. Sheep farming is widely spread in the catchment area of Loch Lomond. As mentioned above chemical products are used to control a range of ectoparasites, such as scab and blowfly. The application takes place by dipping the sheep in a lotion including these chemicals. All sheep dips are toxic to aquatic life and even tiny amounts of dip can affect the environment. A cup of cypermethrin, the most commonly used pyrethroid dip has the potential to kill fish and insects over several kilometres in a sizeable watercourse [SEPA 1997]. In [SEPA 2000b] it is mentioned that sheep dip continues to pose a serious chronic pollution in some upland areas throughout Scotland, particularly through the use of synthetic phyrethroid dips which are highly toxic to aquatic life. Residues of sheep dip chemicals may also be discharged to rivers via sewage treatment plants after processing of fleeces and skins by the textile industry [SEPA 1999c], although no such processing occurs within the Loch Lomond catchment. In a press release of June 2000 [SEPA 2000a] SEPA stresses that sub-standard dipping facilities and poor disposal practices pose a significant environmental risk and a number of pollution incidents over the past few months have highlighted these dangers with the watercourses affected sometimes taking a long time to fully recover. The article continues that under the Groundwater Regulations 1998, it is illegal to intentionally dispose of waste sheep dip from static or mobile dippers, shower or jetters to land without an Authorisation from SEPA.
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D10: Impact of Contaminants - Hydromod

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