Efforts continue to tackle Forth pipeline leak

Road cordons were in place around the incident Road cordons were put in place around the incident on Monday

Efforts are continuing to stem a leak from an effluent pipeline near the Firth of Forth.

The pipe carries waste water used for cleaning equipment at BP's Hound Point Terminal and links up with the Dalmeny oil storage tank facility near South Queensferry.

BP said the leak, which began at about 13:30 on Monday, is under a field about 100m (328ft) from the Firth of Forth.

The oil company said the water contains only a small amount of impurities.

It is surfacing and then trickling down to the shoreline.
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Purely as a precautionary measure a 100m exclusion zone has been put in place due to the presence of a sulphurous smell adjacent to the leak”

End Quote BP spokesman

Locals have complained of a strong sulphurous smell - similar to that of a stink bomb.

NHS Lothian said there was no risk to public health.

Police confirmed that all main roads in the area are now open, with some restrictions in the immediate area around the scene of the leak.

A BP spokesman said the source of the leak had been identified and every effort was being made to contain and stop it.

Lothian and Borders Police are treating the leak as a major incident and set up a 100-metre (328ft) exclusion zone around the scene.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public who noticed discoloured water running into the Forth.

BP said the waste water comprised of rainwater, seawater and some impurities.

In the past it carried ballast water used to keep tankers afloat as they were being loaded with oil in the Firth of Forth.

The BP spokesman added: "Purely as a precautionary measure a 100m exclusion zone has been put in place due to the presence of a sulphurous smell adjacent to the leak."

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