Sewage spilled directly into Scotland’s rivers, lochs and seas at least 12,000 times in one year, new figures obtained by The Ferret have revealed, but the true figure is likely much higher.
Data obtained via a freedom of information request shows that there were 12,238 ‘overflow events’ from Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs) and Sewage Pumping Stations (SPS) reported by Scottish Water in 2020. This means sewage is discharged directly into Scotland’s waters, including the Clyde, the Leve4n and the Endrick, which are home to habitats for rare and important species and others used by swimmers, surfers and anglers.
Scottish Water says it is necessary at times, such as when the system is overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. However, campaigners have described the figures as “shocking,” warning that the discharges are “incredibly damaging to both the environment and human health”.
The figures are likely to be a significant under-estimate of the true number of sewage overflows, as Scottish Water is only required to monitor a relatively small number of these locations – just 101 of Scotland’s total of 3641 ‘combined sewer overflows’ or ’emergency overflows’.
The full investigation report is on The Ferret website.
Picture: Wild flowers on the shore near Havoc sewage works in Dumbarton.
That’s a stupid article, Bill. Pardon the pun….but nobody gives a shite about that around here. For decades I’ve complained about all the shite that ends up in the R Leven, including from within the National Park. Nobody gives a shite. It all ends up in the Clyde then washes up on the shore between Bowling and Cardross. If you go up the tow path near where the Jupiter place was, before you come to the Boat Hole, there was an “Environmental Improvement Works” notice, courtesy of John McFall MP. WDC and Andy White/Labour were in on it as well. I can’t recall the date but it was for a £1.3 million project for COMBINED SEWER OUTFLOWS. I’ve got 5 marked in on my map. I think there’s more. That’s over and above all of the other sewers, drains, discharge pipes and stanks….and not counting all of the shite and pee that comes from the boats at Balloch. Of course, I raised all this again during the Flamingo Land planning application consultations. It’s too bad everyone chooses to be up to their ears in shite around here. If you are looking for a shite free environment you will have to go out of the WDC area. I know some of their staff go down the Tweed and I recall you liked Selkirk when you were there…although you didn’t have a clue what you were looking at beyond “beautiful/spectacular scenery.” I was a member of the Tweed Foundation. Fortunately they don’t give a hoot what thicko tourists think. That is why the Tweed is the best managed Atlantic Salmon river in the world…and the River Leven/Loch Lomond is full of plop!
We did a special article on the scatalogical state of the hills and rivers around Loch Lomondside a couple of weeks ago. You must have missed it James. However, next time you write don’t forget there are people who are not so insensitive as yourself when it comes to the language you use. However, if we all used these disgusting words to describe the disgusting situation then councillors and the like might sit up and listen – and do something about it – instead of tut tutting on the sidelines. Thanks. Bill
Thanks Bill. I’ll take my own legal advice There’s no language there I haven’t used in front of “The Beak” the PF and the rest of them. SNH HQ is in the Biz Park and SEPA HQ is in The NP. The whole place has been under continuous assessment for years. Don’t worry I well know how “insensitive” people can be….to the truth!
The Scottish Water explanation of storm surges, is ecomical with the truth.
Much of the sewerage system is old and prone to blocking. It is also inadequate.
Then there is the local authority who just wants to let developers build more and more houses despite inadequate waste water infrastructure – and may I add inadequate road capacity. ( eg – A82 Stoneymullin to Lomondgate to Milton to Bowling.)
And then there is as James Graham says, all these lochside developments. The proposed millionaires Bearsden on Loch development at Tarbet, the new Conference Centre at Gartocharn, the proposed distillery at Luss, and much more all of which will together with all of the other commercial developments discharge into good old Loch Lomond – which already is starting to sustain algal blooms from nitrate rich discharges.
Or what of the landfill site that was Sandpoint. What on earth has been placed there, potentially to leak into the river.
So yes, I have to agree that the area is pretty grotty and that few folks in the area actually care. And even less so the local councillors who sit strangely silent of the problems.
Going back I knew Pete Murray of SEPA. He was the project manager for the L Lomond Catchment Management Plan….that became the River Basin Management Plan. He complained about the amount of phosphorus going into The Loch….from detergents and especially the concentrated stuff they use in dishwashers. He was shifted to the South Side and took early retirement. That’s what happened to all of my good contacts….they all got the boot or just packed their bags. All we’re doing is paying for the hush money that’s required to shut public servants up and make them business friendly. By the way….Pete told me 90+% of SEPA’s work goes into The Loch. It’s all The Loch and eff all for the R Leven. I was over 10 years on the NP’s Fish and Fisheries Forum and more besides. I wrote 100s of letters about it in the local press. There was no shortage of people who contacted me to say they agreed but had had enough of it and just moved on. I was the closest anyone came to locking people up when I submitted a Crime Report to the PF, when L Div refused to do their job, when I caught LLAIA poaching. I also won 2 Public Planning Inquiries against WDC and the NP. Don’t pay any attention to Bill. He’s a gatekeeper. And you check me out all you like. Nobody has a parking ticket to pin on me. I’m the straightest guy in West Dunbartonshire and I never lie.