Concern over Edinburgh sewage discharge into Water of Leith

Call for investment to be accelerated

The Friends of Water of Leith basin have highlighted the sewage discharge

SCOTTISH Water is being urged to speed up a major upgrading project after raw sewage was discharged into the Water of Leith.

Some £7.5 million is being invested in improvements to storm drains along the river, starting at Juniper Green.

But the Friends of Water of Leith basin (FOWL.b) have been highlighting the problem of sewage near the Shore.

Tory councillor Callum Laidlaw said: “Heavy rain has discharged raw sewage and other flushed nasties into the watercourse. It harms the flora and fauna of the river, it makes the quayside and towpaths an unpleasant place to be and it affects the many residents and businesses that normally enjoy and trade off the ability to sit and enjoy some time beside the water. It’s also a public health concern, with a huge rise in pathogens spread in faeces including coronavirus.”

He said he welcomed the Scottish Water investment. But he said: “I do believe we need to go further and faster to prevent further issues with the combined sewage outflows.”

And the full council agreed council leader Adam McVey, who is a Leith councillor, should write to the water company.

Cllr McVey said Scottish Water had responded quickly to the sewage reports. But he added: “We need further action to avoid a repeat.”

He said climate change and the resulting weather events - like the intense storm which hit Edinburgh last month with a month’s rainfall in a few hours - was putting pressure on our existing infrastructure. “We need to get ready to deal with the inevitable consequences of increased events like that.”

Scottish Water said they had had a meeting with FOWL.b. “The meeting was very productive and we are currently investigating issues they have raised.

“There is an unauthorised sewage connection going into one of the basins from a block of flats which we are going to remove and connect to our sewer as a matter of urgency. Scottish Water are fully committed to working together with FOWL.b moving forward.”

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