SCOTTISH Water has installed more than 1,000 new sewer monitors across its waste water system as part of a £500 million investment programme to transform its network and improve the country’s water environment.
The organisation said that the new monitors will help give ‘unprecedented’ levels of information about how the waste water network is performing, helping it to avert flooding and pollution and plan targeted investment in future improvements.
A new 15-strong dedicated team is now in place nationwide to take information from the monitors and work to proactively prevent flooding and pollution incidents which can be caused by blockages in the sewer network, further protecting customers’ homes and the environment.
The installation of the new monitors – with plans for a further 700 by the end of next year – comes ahead of Scottish Water’s first online overflow map showing near real- time data from our monitors going live shortly.
The interactive map will provide information on when an overflow is operating and where recent activity has occurred, using data gathered by the monitors, meaning local communities can easily access information on overflows in their area.
Professor Simon Parsons, Scottish Water’s director of environment, planning, and assurance, said, “The installation of the new monitors is a key milestone for Scottish Water as we continue to invest in massive improvements to our waste water infrastructure that help improve Scotland’s water environment. When our new service, the online map linked to monitors, is launched it will enable our customers to be better informed and understand where and when sewer system overflows are occurring. We are delighted to be delivering on both of these.”
With climate change and ever more extreme rainfall impacting Scotland, increased water run-off from roofs, and a loss of green spaces in communities, overflows are more important than ever to stop homes, streets and water treatment works being overwhelmed, Scottish Water said.
The new monitors are designed to operate automatically as a ‘relief valve’ for the sewer system during heavy rainfall or when the waste water system fails, often caused by drain blockages from items like wet wipes being flushed.
In 2021 Scottish Water committed to installing new monitors on its overflows as part of its Improving Urban Waters Routemap, to improve the availability of information for communities across Scotland.
Earlier this year, Environmental Standards Scotland also called for greater information and transparency on overflows, while recognising the important role they play. Scottish Water’s new overflow map responds to this recommendation.
Users will be able to search using a postcode, local authority area or a waterbody to find out about overflow activity in any given location. The new monitors and map will also provide information that will enhance Scottish Water’s knowledge and decision making around which overflows should be prioritised for investment.
Professor Parsons continued, “It’s been important to ensure that the development of this new service has taken the views of our customers and stakeholders into account. We’ve worked with several external groups on the design and the supporting information, so I’m pleased this has been a really collaborative process. We’ll continue to work with partners and customers to build on the initial launch.”
Scottish Government acting cabinet secretary for net zero and energy, Gillian Martin, said, “I’m delighted Scottish Water has delivered on its Improving Urban Waters Routemap commitment to install 1,000 new overflow monitors by the end of this year. Our waterways are in good condition.
“SEPA classifies 86.5% of our water environment as high or good quality. This is up from 82% in 2014 and the sustained investment made by Scottish Water across the period 2015-21, has been a key driver of the improvement. This built on the significant investment delivered in relation to the treatment of wastewater since Scottish Water’s formation in 2002.
“However, we are not complacent and want to see this improve further. Scottish Water’s routemap sets out £500 million of investment it will make to improve the quality our waterways and enhance monitoring of the sewer network. I’m delighted to see this being delivered and it shows what can be achieved when water is kept in public hands and profits are put back into operational improvements and not into dividends for shareholders.”
