By Bill Heaney
Following new analysis of sewage dumping sites located within protected shellfish waters which revealed that they suffered 3,785 sewage dumps in the last two years.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, left, has once again called on the Scottish Government to start taking the sewage crisis seriously.
Liberal Democrat analysis of sewage figures showed that sewage was dumped 3,785 times in shellfish water protected areas, as designated by SEPA, and that sewage was dumped for a total of 22,936 hours.
Loch Fyne, once famous for its herring and kippers, saw the longest duration of sewage being dumped, with sewage being dumped there for 6,260 hours across 2024 and 2023.
Bay of Firth in Orkney saw sewage dumped the most frequently with sewage being dumped 1,446 times across 2024 and 2023.
Loch Long at Arrochar, Carrick Castle and Whistlefield were once famous for whelks and clabby dhubs picked off the shores by people on a day out. Prawns are mega.
Lobster is a great delicacy sold in fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels, as are oysters.
Shellfish of all species are a huge hit with tourists in Oban and other seaside towns in the West Highlands.
Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “We already knew of the impact sewage was h aving on our rivers and beaches, but now we learn sewage is also being dumped in protected shellfish waters.
“Shellfish production is an important industry for Scotland and our coastal and island communities. They deserve better than having sewage dumped in waters linked to their livelihoods.
“It”s time the Scottish Government started taking the sewage crisis in Scotland more seriously, rather than just handwaving all concerns by pointing to the situation in England.
“To turn the tide on the sewage scandal, Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would bring our sewage network into the 21st century, clamp down on dumping and get to the bottom of this disgusting practice.”
Meanwhile, The Ferret investigative journal has revealed today that Lochs in Orkney, the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides are among waters containing high levels of toxic pollutants with health risks known as ‘forever chemicals’.
More than a quarter of surface waters tested in Scotland contain unsafe levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products from non-stick cookware and food packaging, to waterproof clothing.
Some of these ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to various diseases, including cancers.
According to our analysis of samples taken by Scottish Water, the sites are above a threshold for environmental safety proposed by the EU.