The Scottish Government

Name of water:

High Loch

Map reference:

X10 Y10

Owner:

The Local Authority (Leased to Hightown Angling Association)

Occurrence

Typical pattern of frequency and occurrence of algal blooms:

Typically one algal bloom occurs most (but not all) years usually in late August or September. The intensity varies greatly but the typical duration would be less than two weeks.

Occurrence category:

2

Usage

How is the waterbody used?

Neither the loch nor any of its incoming or outgoing streams is used as a source of public or private drinking water. There is a path around the loch that is used by anglers and walkers (often with dogs). Cattle drink from the loch and its associated streams. The local canoe club uses the loch about three times each year always in summer.

Risk category:

Medium to high

Monitoring and control of risks

Blooms tend to be short-term and are likely to be missed by a planned monitoring programme. No planned inspection or monitoring programme will be undertaken. The local angling association (AA) and the canoe club have both been advised of the risks and provided with leaflets. They have undertaken to advise the local authority of the appearance blooms. A reactive risk assessment will then consider the need for reactive inspection and/or monitoring. Warning signs are kept in the AA hut and will be placed by the AA at pre-defined locations when a bloom appears. Further interventions will be considered in the reactive risk assessment.

Signed

John Smith

Date. 01/01/01

Print name

JOHN SMITH. SENIOR EHO.

Reactive assessment of the risk to public health of high concentrations of blue-green algae.

Name of water:

High Loch

Map reference:

X10 Y10

Owner:

Hightown Angling Association

Usage

How is the waterbody used?

Neither the loch nor any of its incoming or outgoing streams is used as a source of public or private drinking water. There is a path around the loch that is used by anglers and walkers (often with dogs). Cattle drink from the loch and its associated streams. The local canoe club uses the loch about three times each year always in summer.

Risk category:

Medium to high.

Recognition

How and when was the bloom detected and reported?

The local authority was informed of the appearance of a bloom by Mr J Jones of the Hightown Angling Association by telephone on 26/8/02.

Health effects

Have any animal or human health effects been reported? Yes/No

If yes please specify.

Actions

What actions have been taken to date?

Warning signs have been placed by the local Angling Association at pre-defined locations. The regional EHO has inspected the loch and has sent water samples to SEPA for analysis. The local farmer has been advised to move cattle from an adjacent field until further notice. The canoe club has been informed.

What further actions are planned?

A further inspection will be carried out on 7/9/02.

Signed

John Smith

Date.

29/08/02

Print name

JOHN SMITH. SENIOR EHO