‘Disgusting’sewage dumped 450 times
Scottish Water blames rain for shocking figures
Sewage was dumped almost 450 times across Perth and Kinross waterways in the last year, “disgusting” new figures have revealed.
Data released by Scottish Water showed sewage was dumped 436 times and for 8,074 hours across the region throughout 2023.
The news has been branded as “disgusting” by Liberal Democrat councillor Claire Mclaren, who has called on authorities to “turn the tide on the scandal”.
Scottish Water blamed the increase last year on higher rainfall and says 87 per cent of Scotland’s water bodies are “among the best in Europe” – but is working to improve its infrastructure.
Bosses at Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also blamed higher rainfall and said discharges were designed to prevent sewage backing up into people’s homes.
Strathtay councillor Claire Mclaren slammed the Perth and Kinross figures and demanded the SNP and Greens “stop defending outdated sewage standards”.
Baillie Mclaren said: “Even that figure is likely to be a significant underestimate because only a small fraction of sewer overflows across Scotland are monitored. Scotland is way behind England where nearly every overflow is monitored.
“To make matters worse, while our waterways are destroyed, customers in Perth and Kinross are facing huge price rises from the governmentowned water company and its executives are pocketing bumper bonuses.
“SNP and Green ministers must stop being spin doctors for these outdated sewage standards and get tough with the government-owned water company.
“To turn the tide on this scandal, Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would see vital updates to our sewage network and a clamp down on discharges.”
Last year, locals blasted Scottish Water after filming “stinking” waste water flowing directly into the River Tay.
Perth resident Nicola Murray, who is also the founder of charity Brodie’s Trust, posted the video online showing water coming through the opening left by a displaced manhole cover, with wipes and sanitary items blocking mesh grating. Wipes could also be seen strewn around the riverbank.
The campaigner told how she stopped her children playing near the river, while another resident, Chris Ryan said he ended up with a painful months-long infection after he scratched his leg moving an abandoned bike out of the water.
Following the release of the annual figures, Scottish Water’s director of environment, planning and assurance Professor Simon Parsons responded by describing Scotland’s waters as being in “good health” but recognised the concern.
Professor Parsons said: “Scotland’s rivers and water environment is in good health – 87 per cent of Scotland’s water bodies are in ‘good’ or better condition - among the best in Europe - and we continue to be on track to deliver improvements across our waste water system including installing 1000 additional monitors at discharge locations.”
He attributed last year’s increase to more rain, adding: “There was an increase in the number of overflows last year because of higher rainfall.
“Our network helps drain away from communities. Storm Babet was in October and that month was the wettest in Scotland on record and we anticipate as the climate changes that rainfall will continue to overload our sewers.
“We are working with partners across Scotland to deliver new ways of managing surface water.
“Around 99 per cent of these overflows is rainwater, surface water, road run-off, grey water, infiltration of groundwater and trade effluent.
“More than half of the overflows we report are at locations (Settled Storm Sewer Overflows/sssos) where there has been treatment of the flows, such as primary settlement and screening.
“We recognise releasing waste water - even occasionally - into Scotland’s rivers and seas is a concern to people and we are playing our part in fully informing the public, as well as improving infrastructure.”
SEPA’S head of water and planning, Nathan Critchlow-watton said it was “focused on protecting and improving Scotland’s water environment, with two decades of targeted regulation driving investment - meaning our water quality is at its highest level ever”.
He added: “We have a recordbreaking number of bathing waters rated as ‘excellent’.”
SEPA’S head of Water and Planning also blamed climate change for the increased rainfall.
Mr Critchlow-watton said: “Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOS) are an integral part of Scotland’s sewerage system, designed to discharge at times of high rainfall to prevent sewage backing-up and flooding houses.
“SEPA regulates discharges to the water environment, including discharges from CSOS, and assesses Sewer Network Licences on a rolling basis, with particular focus on those which have unsatisfactory compliance, as these can discharge sewage litter and impact on people’s enjoyment of the environment.
“Climate change is leading to an increased frequency of highintensity rainfall events, affecting the number of overflow events.
“We’re clear in our regulatory role in ensuring Scottish Water delivers against the Urban Waters Route Map, prioritising investment where it will have the most benefit for the environment and communities.
“This includes investment in the development of improved monitoring infrastructure to provide essential and comprehensive overflow data while ensuring minimal impact on our natural environment.
“Scottish Water has committed to installing monitors on every CSO discharging to a bathing or shellfish water by the end of 2024, with near real-time monitoring published for all these monitored CSOS by the end 2024. SEPA will ensure this commitment is delivered.”
Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell acknowledged the news was “concerning” but added: “It’s deeply disingenuous for the Lib Dems to be demanding a reduction in water charges, whilst at the same time calling for more investment.
“The infrastructure is ageing; it needs substantial investment to protect the environment – cutting back water charges would slash Scottish Water’s upgrade programme overnight.”