Fraserburgh residents are growing increasingly angry about litterbugs damaging a watercourse through the centre of their community.
Kessock Burn, which runs from the entrance to the town, off the A90 at Kirktown Brae, is regularly clogged with waste.
And recently, the problem became so bad local councillor Ian Tait was forced to reach out to Transport Scotland to have the burn cleared.
The situation has led to concerns that the problem could escalate if people continue to flout public safety.
Last night, Mr Tait said residents close to the burn have been plagued by the issue for a “considerable time” and are concerned that chemical waste from farmland, which flows through the water, could contaminate their property.
He added: “They were concerned at the waste itself and at the flooding it was causing.”
“The environmental regulations dictate that analysis of the water is a necessary step before removal and disposal may be progressed. I look forward to seeing the results of the testing.
“Transport Scotland confirms the clearance works will follow.
“I am re-assured by the Transport Scotland approach and by the fact they have got things moving at long last.”
A particular concern of local people is the possibility the water could be damaging the town’s popular beachfront, where the burn opens up to the North Sea.
Charity Keep Scotland Beautiful handed the two-and-a-half mile stretch of sand one of its coveted Seaside Awards in 2008, which it has subsequently retained.
It is one of nine Aberdeenshire beaches to have been earmarked by the group as a desirable destination.
Others include the sands at Collieston, Cruden Bay, Peterhead and Stonehaven.
Last year, water tested at Fraserburgh by Scottish Environment Protection Agency was rated as “excellent”.
Scotland’s beaches are tested by the agency over four years for bacteria linked to both animal and human waste, including the E.coli virus and intestinal bacteria.