MSP calls for action to tackle 'alarming' sewer overflows in Glasgow

A Glasgow MSP is demanding a more robust reporting process for sewage overspills, after finding just 8 of the 211 in the city are being monitored.

Conservative Dr Sandesh Gulhane is calling on the Scottish Government to produce a "credible action plan", after raising fears for public health.

He is joining the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) in calls to stop any more spillage of untreated sewage.

The MCS is urging the Scottish Government to tackle sewage pollution with "better monitoring, reporting and progressive spill reduction targets."

'It can have devastating effects'

Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: "Shockingly only 2.4% of Scotland's storm overflows are monitored and reported on - it's 96% monitored in Wales, and 91% in England.

"When we drill into this data, each of Scotland's storm overflows spilled on average 114 times last year, the total number of spillages was over 14,000. That's a huge hazard and the problem appears to be so common across Scotland.

"Glasgow has 211 sewage overflows, and the vast majority aren't monitored or reported on, just 8 out of that 211.

"It can have devastating effects on humans and wildlife alike.

"Untreated sewage contains harmful chemicals, bacteria, viruses, microplastics and even macroplastics.

"Even more worrying, though, is that it contains pollutants which accumulate in our environment and could even enter our food chain.

"It's vital the SNP/Green Government come up with a credible plan to tackle this, we can't allow this trend to continue unchecked.

"The Government must commit to much-needed long term investment to improve our water quality and infrastrucuture.

"We can start by doubling down on committing to comprehensive monitoring and reporting."

Scottish Government response

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are an integral part of a sewage network, designed to spill highly-diluted sewage to the environment to avoid overloading the sewer system and causing it to back up and flood homes and businesses during periods of intense rainfall.

"Normally less than 1% of the volume of sewer overflows is toilet waste; the rest is largely rainwater.

“CSOs must be licensed by SEPA, and any unsatisfactory discharges will be identified so that Scottish Water can invest to reduce the environmental impact.

“Comprehensive monitoring of our water environment is already undertaken by SEPA to assess water quality, water quantity (flows and levels), physical condition and ecology which are combined to produce an overall classification.

"Therefore, increasing the monitoring of sewage outflow pipes would not change the classification of the water environment by SEPA."

Plans remain 'on track'

“66% of Scotland’s water environment as a whole is assessed as having ‘good’ status, while 87% of Scotland’s entire water environment is assessed by SEPA as having a ‘high’ or ‘good’ classification for water quality, up from 82% six years ago.

“Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Routemap, which supports the national River Basin Management Plan objectives (92% good water quality by 2027), commits further investment of up to £500m.

"That investment will improve water quality; increase monitoring coverage at overflow locations which discharge into the highest priority waters; significantly reduce Sewage Related Debris (SRD) such as wet wipes, sanitary products and other items, and reduce sewer network spills.

“Scottish Water remains on track to deliver on its commitment set out in the Routemap to install at least 1000 new monitors on the network by the end of 2024.”

Scottish Water response

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: "The quality of Scotland's water bodies is assessed as 87% at good or better standard and our transformation and investment supports further improvements to 92% by 2027.

"Our programme to install 1000 new monitors at combined sewer overflows - part of a £500m programme of work to reduce spills - is ongoing and on track. Over the past decade we've spent £2.7 billion improving the performance of the public waste water system and reducing pollution.

"More than 1 billion litres of waste water - from home, roads and other surfaces and businesses - run through our combined sewer network and when overflows operate, they reduce the risk of flooding in homes.

"Binning wet wipes and not flushing them will help reduce sewage related debris in rivers and on beaches and we are calling for a ban on wet wipes which contain plastic."

SEPA response

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “Scotland’s water quality is at its highest level ever, with 87% of our water environment rated as good or better.

"This year, Scotland also has a record-breaking number of bathing waters rated as ‘excellent’.

“We welcome the increased public interest in the environment we all share, and the growing aspirations – heard loud and clear – for our water environment.

"The River Basin Management plan sets a water quality target for 92% of the water environment to be in good or better condition by 2027.

"In many parts of Scotland our wastewater infrastructure, like other areas in the UK, is a legacy from the Victorian era. Recognising the huge national undertaking that will be required to upgrade it means focussing effort where it will have the biggest impact for the environment and communities.

“We’re clear in our regulatory role in ensuring Scottish Water delivers against the Urban Waters Route Map, prioritising investment where it will most benefit our environment and communities. 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.

“While Scotland already enjoys some of the best water quality in Europe, SEPA is focused on ensuring improvement continues in the years ahead.

"We’ll do that by working together with public partners and regulated businesses, using our enforcement powers when necessary.”

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