Amazing drone photos show an immense whirlpool off Scotland’s coast after waste water was pumped in from a landfill.
Paul Young, 46, an accountant, captured the images using his drone yesterday evening close to Lendalfoot, a small rural village in South Ayrshire. However, he was unable to determine what caused it.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency now confirms that the water is rainwater which has come into contact wastewater at a nearby landfill site.
When two flowing currents collide, whirlpools form and spiral downwards. It is possible that the wastewater that was flowing away from the coast came in contact with the tide moving towards it.
Paul Young, an accountant captured the photos using his drone yesterday evening close to Lendalfoot in South Ayrshire
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirmed that the water is rainwater which has come in contact with wastewater at a nearby site and is being pumped out of the sea.
Mr Young stated that he assumed it was a tsunami and that it looked a lot like a whirlpool. I posted it on Facebook to see if anyone saw.
“I’ve heard lots of people say things about herring spawning, effluent, burst pipe, methane leaked, and possible explosives.
A spokesperson for SEPA said that reports had surfaced of an upwelling near Lendalfoot in South Ayrshire on Sunday October 31st.
“This is a routine permissive discharge of treated landfill waste from Straid Farm Landfill. Leachate is rainwater that has come into contact with waste in a landfill.
“It is collected in lined containment cells, and then treated before being released to the environment.”
SEPA stated that the water would have been tested to make sure it met environmental standards and didn’t have an adverse effect on the ecosystem.
The spokesman stated that leachate has increased in volume due to the heavy and sustained rains over the last few weeks.
“This will have caused a longer discharge and a more visible visual impact than normal. SEPA will continue monitoring compliance with the operator’s permit.
Whirlpools are formed when two streams meet and begin to spiral downwards. In this instance, it is likely that the wastewater flowing away the coast came into contact the tide flowing towards it.
After a minister’s U-turn, the UK government has announced that water companies will have to cut down on the amount of sewage that they pump into rivers.
Peers had suggested an amendment to Environment Bill last month to cut down on pollution. The new law was rejected by Tory MPs in the Commons vote. This triggered a backlash from eco campaigners.
The House of Lords was expected to reinstate its amendment to the Bill last night – forcing ministers to backtrack.
The Lendalfoot whirlpool did not contain any sewage outflows.
Scottish Water confirmed that they are unaware of any reported problems with the sewer network in this area.
“Scottish Water has no infrastructure or sewers in Lendalfoot. There properties are served by septic tank.”
Mr Young stated that he assumed it was a tsunami and it looked a lot like a whirlpool. I posted it on social networking to see if anyone else saw it. “I’ve heard a lot of people saying things, from herring spawning to effluent to burst pipes to methane leaks and possible explosives.”