Wastewater floods Leith street after heavy downpour hits Edinburgh's Seafield sewage works
The operator is trying to restore operations after this morning’s floods caused a “flooding incident” at the Seafield sewage works
A clean-up operation is under way after wastewater from Seafield works flooded a Capital street following a torrential downpour in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Footage shared on social media showed water gushing from the Seafield Wastewater Treatment Works in Leith onto the neighbouring Marine Esplanade.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said operator Veolia had been working to restore operations following a “flooding incident” at the site.
A spokesperson for Veolia said: "During the period of intense rain affecting much of the city this morning [Wednesday], there was localised flooding at the Seafield Wastewater Treatment Works that impacted parts of Marine Esplanade.”
“A response team was immediately activated, with tankers deployed to clear wastewater and a clean-up is underway in the local area.”
In a video shared with the Evening News by trucker-turned-YouTuber Stuck in a Truck in Scotland, water can be seen cascading off the treatment work’s metal railings, while the entirety of the esplanade is flooded with water.
According to the operator, the sewage works were operational at the time of the incident, and a “thorough investigation” is being carried out to uncover the exact cause.
The wastewater treatment works located along Seafield Road are the largest in Scotland and process 300 million litres of wastewater daily from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Veolia describes it as “a cornerstone of Scotland's waste management system”.
Areas across Edinburgh and the Lothians were hit by the heavy rainstorm, which left many roads flooded and disrupted travel for many.
A SEPA officer was dispatched to the facility to assess any potential risks from the flooding after receiving reports of the incident from the operator, members of the public and partner agencies.
Their spokesperson said: “The operator is currently taking action to minimise disruption and restore operations. SEPA will monitor any mitigation measures.
“We encourage anyone who witnesses any potential pollution incidents to contact us immediately on 0800 80 70 60 or by submitting a form online with as much information as possible.”