Fed-up residents have demanded action including protective fences after human waste and rats were spotted at a polluted Aberdeen waterway.
Complaints have been raised over the algae sighted at East Tullos burn in St Fittick’s park, Torry with many expressing health concerns over the substance.
Torry Community Council wrote to city council chief executive Angela Scott at the start of June over the outbreak of cyanobacteria, calling on the authority to fence off the area and even erect skull and crossbones warning signs.
Torry residents call for skull and crossbones above polluted water
The scum is known to cause stomach and skin problems if it comes in contact with the body or is ingested.
Now the community council have hit out at the “lack of answers” in the response from the council and said current signage up at the park is “inadequate”.
The group says urgent action is now required including safety rails on the footbridge and edges of the burn.
Community council secretary David Fryer said that the water was “static” and with the summer heating up he said he had spotted a rat while other residents reported human waste.
He said: “The burn water is heavily contaminated with organic and inorganic pollutants.
“Our greatest concerns are over water quality. The conditions created by high nutrient status, stagnant conditions and warm weather, spurred on by the earlier presence of raw sewage have resulted in blooms of cyanobacteria.
“We asked for safety barriers around the burn, especially by the concrete bridge, to be erected for the protection of children and pets and were told it would not be done because it was not necessary.
“However areas of the planting of the park have had fences erected to protect them from deer.
“I personally have also seen rats in the wetlands and it is known that they have two basic instincts, shelter and a food source.
“It is our opinion that water and environmental quality in the East Tullos Burn has deteriorated and that this measure if implemented will only add to the toxicity of the area.”
Dog walkers Annie Munro and Kenny Lochrie said they had stopped using the park with Ms Munro saying her pet had to be taken to the vet following contact with the water.
Torry and Ferryhill councillor Catriona Mackenzie said: “The council can’t ignore their responsibilities and it seems in this case that the residents feel their concerns haven’t been listened to.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The issues raised in the email will be dealt with in line with normal complaints and procedures.”
