An investigation has been launched after pollution believed to be from a Scottish Government owned farm was found running through an Inverness burn.
Excrement from livestock has entered a burn which runs near the bull stud farm at Knocknagael and down through nearby housing developments in the Highland capital.
Last night The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) confirmed it is aware of the problem and said an investigation had revealed the pollution was coming from the government farm.
A government spokesman said that action has now been taken to prevent a repeat of the problem.
The watercourse runs close to housing developments at Culduthel Mains and Holm Dell.
Notices appeared near the burn urging people to avoid the water and to thoroughly wash their hands and clothing if they
come into contact with it.
A spokesman for Sepa said: “Sepa received notification on Friday, August 5 of a pollution issue in a burn which runs through Inverness.
“Sepa’s investigations since then have identified that the problem originates from Knocknagael Stud Farm.
“We are in contact with all relevant partner organisations. We are working with the Scottish Government to prevent any further escape of run-off.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Action has been taken to address and prevent any further issue with the waste management system at the Knocknagael Bull Stud Farm.
“The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is content with our approach.”
The bull stud rents out its animals to crofters and farmers for breeding.
The facility had been under threat after the government floated plans to sell off part of the land for housing developments.
However, the scheme was dropped earlier this year after a planning reporter said the “significant concern is that it would represent an unwarranted and visually disruptive incursion into open countryside”.
He said this would result in the loss of prime agricultural land.
