Wave of Investments to Drain the Rain and Enhance the Environment

Work on the first wave of engineering projects as part of Scottish Water’s £500million commitment to improve the environment and make it more enjoyable for customers to explore their local area is well underway.

Under its Improving Urban Waters programme, the publicly owned utility has already met a commitment to install 1000 monitors on its sewer network with the information available on a near real-time online map.

Now, a programme of civil engineering projects is getting into full swing to help improve water quality, reduce sewer-related debris and minimise spills from the sewer network through targeted infrastructure investments.

By December 2027, over 70 improvements will have been delivered benefitting watercourses across Scotland, with more in design for delivery beyond 2027.

Karen Dee, Scottish Water’s General Manager for Waste Water Services Strategy said: “Scotland’s water quality is at its highest level for over 15 years with 87% of waterbodies rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ condition.

“We know our sewer network will continue to come under increasing pressure from the combination of climate change, loss of green space and people flushing inappropriate items down the toilet.

“That is why we have targeted this extra investment specifically in locations where every pound that is spent will deliver real benefits to communities and the environment.”

Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement for water quality or aesthetic – sewer related debris – reasons.

“We are committed to enhancing our precious natural environment and are investing more than ever before in our waste water network, through increased monitoring and targeted improvement projects.”

Karen Dee
Scottish Water General Manager Waste Water Strategy

Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment helps prevent sewage related debris such as wet wipes from entering the environment during periods of rainfall.

One of the first civil engineering projects under the programme has already been completed with the installation of a new screened storm overflow near Lord Ancrum Woods in Midlothian.

Another four similar projects are underway in Stewarton in East Ayrshire which is part of a £16.5million investment to alleviate flooding in the town.

Karen Dee added: “We are committed to enhancing our precious natural environment and are investing more than ever before in our waste water network, through increased monitoring and targeted improvement projects.

“We have taken a strategic approach to investment, which has focused on where best to spend customers money in a way that will improve the water environment, rather than investing in monitoring everything.

“The public can continue to play their part by supporting our Nature Calls campaign and only flush the three Ps – Pee, poo and (toilet) paper.”

Overflows are an essential and critical component in the sewer network, protecting homes and businesses from flooding during periods of heavy rain.

When spills occur, the overflows are operating as they are designed to; they ensure excess rainwater is safely diverted away from homes and businesses. A tiny fraction – less than 1% - comes from toilets - which is then further diluted in the environment.

Scottish Water took a strategic approach to monitoring overflows rather than the blanket 100% coverage adopted in the rest of the UK. This allows a dedicated team to proactively focus investment on prevention of flooding and pollution incidents. Scotland’s overall water quality reflects the success of this approach.

The near real-time data is now easily available on the new interactive map Overflow Map providing information on when an overflow is operating and where recent activity has occurred.

Last year Scottish Water delivered on a commitment to install 1000 additional monitors, and is on target to install a further 700 this year.