A COLLAPSED sewer in Dollar is now being fixed, after potentially harmful materials had been leaking onto the street for weeks.

Sludge has been spilling out onto Lower Mains Road in the past few weeks and Scottish Water has issued an apology, saying contractors were delayed in attending the scene.

A Scottish Water spokesperson explained to the Advertiser: “There was a collapsed sewer at Lower Mains Road, Dollar. Scottish Water’s contractors were delayed in attending and we apologise for this.

“The collapse was caused by work carried out by a third party not connected to Scottish Water.

“Any spillage in the area has been cleaned up and there were no health and safety issues. We will work to complete the repair as quickly as possible.

“While this work is being carried out, some road traffic management is required and a small part of the width of the road has had to be closed.

“We will do everything we can to complete the work, and lift the road traffic management, as quickly as possible.

“We apologise to customers and road users in the area and thank them for their patience while we progress with our work.”

The Advertiser understands Scottish Water was notified about the problem around three weeks ago with employees paying a visit and marking the broken sewer on the road.

Exposure to sewage may result in a number of illnesses according to the Health and Safety Executive. These can include gastroenteritis, the potentially fatal Weil's disease, hepatitis, skin or eye infection and rarely allergic alveolitis.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

However, harmful micro-organisms most commonly enter the body by contaminated hand-to-mouth contact during eating, drinking and smoking or by wiping the face or licking splashes from the skin.

Another way is by skin contact through cuts, scratches or penetrating wounds as well as by breathing sewage dust or mist in.