TRIALS of new technology pioneered in North Ayrshire to detoxify lochs have proved a success.

And the team behind the tech hope it will now mean a jobs boost for the area.

We reported in October that the Scottish Government had approved tests of the Zeolite filtration system on Loch Leven, which was described as “the most toxic in Scotland”.

The technology was created by Zeo-Concept ECE, whose UK business director, David McDonald, is based in Dalry.

David has been working alongside CCS Engineering, based in Irvine’s South Newmoor Industrial Estate, to develop the stainless steel devices for the filters.

Murphy’s Engineering in Kilwinning are also heavily involved – and both firms could see a big employment boost if contracts are approved following the trial.

The company use an organic product called zeolite, which goes into a loch, where the water goes through a filter, which takes out phosphates, nitrates and ammonia.

All the toxins are taken out, the water is purified, and the end result is a fertiliser which can be used by farms.

David revealed this week: "The loch was indeed found to be heavily polluted. We identified the problem was septic tanks in the area and natural drainage.

"We have found the cause and we can solve the problem. We are now in negotiations. Next week we will meet with Scottish Enterprise to discuss the production of our filters.

"It looks like it will be New Year by the time we meet with all the interested parties. It is all looking good.

"The other thing is we are starting slurry trials in the New Year with zeolite to create fertiliser. It is all coming together."

He added: “If everything is approved, the engineering firms in Irvine and Kilwinning will need a lot more people to make the filters.

“As well as big projects like loch clearing, it is believed that in future, the zeolite filters could also be used on a smaller scale in the home, providing cleaner water."

Andy Senior, of CCS Engineering, said: “If we have the recommended machines, we will cut the production time in half. But we will need people to work them.”

Zeo-Concept ECE, whose headquarters are in Sweden, are using zeolite clinoptilolite – a naturally occurring volcanic mineral – in their filters.

When the mineral is exposed to salt water, a chemical reaction occurs, where stone-like zeolites are formed in about 60 different varieties - one of these is the super mineral, Zeolite Clinoptilolite.

A company spokesperson said said: “While it is just a mineral, it is also a purification plant, a nutritional battery, a water reservoir and a chemical catalyst.

“As a result it can be used from everything from agriculture, cultivation and animal husbandry, to slip prevention, sanitation, biogas and water purification.”