What progress has been made on the water management and farm management improvements undertaken by the West of Scotland Water Authority in …

This is a matter for West of Scotland Water Authority. The Chief Executive's response is as follows:Water management practices have been changed within the Loch Katrine catchments. Loch Arklet and Glen Finglas are only used when possible contamination risk is low. Water is drawn from these lochs when cryptosporidium levels are below 0.03 oocysts per 10 litres for seven consecutive days.Recommended farm management improvements within Loch Katrine and Loch Arklet direct catchments have been implemented. These have been audited by the Scottish Agricultural College. Since then, however, the authority has taken the decision to remove sheep from the Loch Katrine catchment as a precautionary public health measure to minimise the risk of possible contamination of water supplies by animals. The operation of the new water treatment works at Milngavie will ensure the removal of the cryptosporidium bacteria. Recommendations made by the Scottish Agricultural College relating to the aqueducts would involve changes in farming practices in the area and we are in contact with the relevant landowners.