DIVERS ARE SET to inspect a pipe that has been a cause of concern for the safety of boats and environmental issues.
As reported exclusively by insideMoray last week, local environmental campaigner Pete Miners pointed out an issue with the pipe just off Lossiemouth’s West Beach.
Mr Miners reported his sighting of the pipe to various authorities including Scottish Water, SEPA and the nearby RAF Lossiemouth as well as Moray Council in an attempt to find out who would be responsible for the pipe. He was also concerned that there was an environmental danger should the pipe have fractured.
Following our publication of the story last week a local inshore fisherman told insideMoray: “I noticed the pipe floating on the surface at high tide – it was fairly clear to me and obviously I kept away, but it certainly did seem to me to pose a threat to someone less wary.”
Mr Miners had little immediate success in finding out who was responsible for the pipe with various possibilities investigated – one theory was that it was an old output from the RAF base while another was that it was part of the sewage output system.
It emerged last night, however, that SEPA had taken control of the situation, confirming that they carried out dye-testing on the pipe and that revealed it had not been damaged so there was no immediate environmental danger.
In a statement last night to Mr Miners, SEPA clarified the situation further when an environmental protection officer said: “SEPA were made aware last week by the legal operator of the RAF Lossiemouth Sewage Treatment Works (STW) that a section of the long sea outfall was “floating”.
“Actions were taken to help ensure that any effluent was not reaching the shore and SEPA informed the local Environmental Health Department.
“No adverse impact on human health or the environment is expected from this situation – the STW is operating within its remit and the treated effluent is still receiving dilution, and there are divers on site to assess the pipe and take any relevant remedial action.”
Mr Miners said: “I’m just glad that somebody has finally taken the initiative at last and wish them well in getting the pipe fixed to the seabed.”