A reported oil contamination in a burn at an Aberdeenshire village has been investigated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
SEPA was alerted to concerns about a strange smell coming from the Elsick Burn in Newtonhill on Tuesday.
The resident who alerted the environmental agency also noted an oily sheen on the surface of the water.
After an officer from SEPA visited the burn to investigate, it was concluded the “extent of contamination is much less than was reported”.
A spokeswoman for SEPA said: “There is no obvious source for the amount of oil there, but evidence suggests it was a small amount.
“Oil on water spreads out to a very thin layer that can cover a large area and it seems that this has now been flushed through with the rain that the area has experienced recently.
“SEPA is content that there is no ongoing contamination.”
Anyone wishing to report pollution can call SEPA on 0800 807060.
Sepa called to reported pollution in Newtonhill burn
