Cramond among 12 sites with dangerous dry weather sewage dumping 

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today revealed that there are 12 sewage overflow sites deemed by Scottish Water to be at risk of dumping sewage in dry weather, including two sites at Cramond in Edinburgh.

Sewage dumping typically occurs when the sewage system is overburdened, often as a result of excessive rainfall. Sewage dumping on dry days is considered to be more damaging to the environment because discharges will not be diluted by rainfall.

In its report into sewage dumping in Scotland, Environmental Standards Scotland indicate that Scottish Water and SEPA have identified 12 sites as being at risk of dumping sewage in dry weather.  The report explains that dry spilling at these sites "had been witnessed on at least one of the three visits required under the 'Methodology for Aesthetic surveys'."

These sites are:

• 2 Kirkford / Kirkford Bridge CSO - in Stewarton, East Ayrshire
• 78 High Street CSO - in Stewarton, East Ayrshire
• Bo'Ness,  Grangepans WwPS CSO - Bo'Ness, Falkirk
• Corbiehall  WwPS CSO - Bo'Ness, Falkirk
• Cramond, Cramond WwPS CSO - Cramond, Edinburgh
• Cramond, Glebe Road CSO - Cramond, Edinburgh
• Dalgety Bay, St Bridgets Brae CSO - Dalgety Bay, Fife
• David Dale Avenue CSO - Stewarton, East Ayrshire
• Dysart Road (Ravenscraig) CSO - Dysart, Fife
• Grangemouth, Glensburgh WwPS CSO - Grangemouth, Falkirk
• Polmont, North side of M9 CSO - Polmont, Falkirk
• Polmont, South side of M9 CSO - Polmont, Falkirk

The ESS report also noted that the tally of 12 overflows at risk of dumping in dry weather is likely to be an underestimate.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced plans for a Clean Water Act which would see:

• Scotland’s Victorian sewage network updated;
• Every sewage dump monitored and published with binding targets for their reduction;  
• A blue flag system for Scotland’s rivers;    
• A complete ban on the release of sewage in protected areas such as bathing waters.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"I am very concerned to see that within my own constituency of Cramond there are two sites at risk of dumping sewage in dry weather. Cramond is a hugely popular beauty spot, but sewage dumping makes it so much harder for people to come and enjoy the area.

"Dry spilling is especially dangerous to the environment because sewage discharges will not have been diluted by rainwater. To make matters worse, Environmental Standards Scotland say this figure is actually an underestimate.

"The government must urgently assess the scale of the problem- the public deserve to know the full picture about this disgusting practice.

"The SNP keep turning a blind eye to the sewage problem, letting down residents and endangering the environment.

"To turn the tide on this scandal, Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would end the excuses, get tough on sewage dumping and protect our rivers, lochs and beaches long into the future."