Electrical fault leads to sewage spill in Paisley

The wetlands at Castle Semple Loch, one of the most famous beauty spots in Scotland, have been forced shut following an enormous spill of sewage treatment.

People of County Renfrewshire, where the wetlands are situated, are hugely disappointed about the closure of one of their largest tourist attractions.

Visitors from far and wide come to the wetlands for a variety of reasons. It is used for fishing, a water sports centre and as a site of specific scientific interest.

Individuals are also deeply concerned about the safety of the area, as it is home to huge amounts of varied wildlife, as well as being an RSPB nature reserve.

Groups that use the vicinity most regularly have been contacted by local authorities to tell them that the area is off bounds for the time beginning.

The accident is thought to have occurred when one of two large treatment tanks at the Lochwinnoch Sewage Treatment Works was disrupted by a simple electrical fault.

This led to the spillage of distinctly smelling, brown sludge across the renowned beauty spot.

Although the incident and its effects were vast, nothing was done about the matter for a whole six weeks after it was reported.

Scottish Water has been heavily criticised for its delay in reacting appropriately to the spill. The delay could cause environmental problems, as well as making the spill much more difficult to clean up.

The company has appeared to confess to its faults, however.

"In court, Scottish Water admitted causing pollution that was not authorised by operating the works in a way that caused an adverse environmental impact. They also admitted failing to comply with licence conditions," Paisley Daily Express reports.

Punishments are not weak for such offences - with fines up to £40,000 for each charge on the cards.

None surprisingly, it is thought that wildlife activist groups are angling for the harshest punishments possible.