Cole-Hamilton meets anti-sewage campaigners as he reveals Scotland's worst affected rivers
Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton today met anti-sewage campaigners in Edinburgh as the party published new analysis which reveals the worst rivers in Scotland for sewage dumping.
Sewage was dumped into Scotland's rivers for a shocking 183,832 hours last year, with 16,010 sewage spills in total. This is equivalent to an average of over 44 sewage dumps into rivers every single day.
The 10 worst rivers for duration of sewage dumping in 2023 were:
- River Carron
- Clyde Estuary
- River Clyde
- Biggar Burn
- River Nith
- Clyde Estuary/Firth of Clyde
- Cluden Water
- River Ayr
- Leader Water
- Ladywell Burn
Sewage was dumped into the River Carron for 17,781 hours in 2023, and the Clyde Estuary saw the most individual sewage dumps with 2,090.
Alex met local anti-sewage campaigners Jack Caldwell and Hal Osler at the picturesque Shore in Leith where sewage is dumped directly into the Water of Leith by the government-owned water company.
Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
“On doorstep after doorstep, people are telling me how disgusted they are that sewage is being pumped into their rivers.
“Last year there were an average of 44 sewage dumps into rivers across Scotland every single day, but even this disgusting figure may be an underestimate as the vast majority of sewage dumps are not monitored.
"The Water of Leith, where I am today, is one of many rivers where there is absolutely no monitoring of sewage dumping, even though we know it is happening.
“Communities all across Scotland are rightly furious that their local rivers are being spoiled while they face huge price rises from the government-owned water company and its executives are pocketing bumper bonuses. SNP ministers are spin doctors for outdated sewage standards.
"Liberal Democrats have led the campaign to turn the tide on the sewage scandal. If you elect a Liberal Democrat MP you will get a hardworking local champion who is focused on getting the sewage out of our rivers and winning the change our country desperately needs."