A WATER pipe that serves Glaisnock House has burst and is flowing out into the Glaisnock Water, discolouring the burn in the process.

The river, a tributary of the Lugar Water, has turned grey owing to the amount of clay being disturbed by the water flowing from the burst pipe according to the Ayrshire Rivers Trust who reported it on Thursday, May 14.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency were confident that the discolouration poses no threat to the immediate environment.

A spokesperson from SEPA said: “Every day SEPA works to protect and improve Scotland’s environment and takes reports of pollution very seriously.

“Ayrshire Rivers Trust has contacted SEPA about issues caused by a burst pipe at Glaisnock House. While the water is not a risk to the environment, the burst is causing localised discolouration through disturbance of the burn bed. We have been liaising with East Ayrshire Council and Scottish Water to have the supply turned off to protect the watercourse.”

The pipe is said to be a clean water pipe servicing the now dilapidated Glaisnock House and as such is the responsibility of the owner.

The Victorian mansion, built around 1833 was bought up by a Xu Yaang in 2014, who had plans to convert it into a centre for the celebration of Chinese language and culture.

Yaang died just a year later in 2015 and tracking down the person responsible for his estate has proved difficult in the past.

In 2016, East Ayrshire Council took it upon themselves to protect the building from vandals and drunkards by boarding up windows and entrances.

They had reached out to the owner’s solicitors but got no response and felt forced to act to protect not only the building, but also the safety of those treating it as a playground.