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Scottish Water marks milestone in £500m sewer upgrade project

  • Scottish Water marks milestone in £500m sewer upgrade project
    Credit: Scottish Water

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Scottish Water
We are a publicly owned company, answerable to the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland. It's our job to provide 1.34 billion litres of drinking water every day and take away 847 million litres of waste water daily.

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Scottish Water has completed one of the first sewer network upgrade projects under its flagship £500 million Improving Urban Waters programme.

The installation of a new screened storm overflow near Lord Ancrum Woods in Edinburgh marks a major milestone in ongoing efforts to enhance the water environment and improve the resilience of Scotland’s sewer network.

The £2 million project, which began in March 2024, included the replacement and installation of a new overflow with a powered screen, control kiosk, outfall pipe, and a new section of sewer.

The design ensured that most of the construction work took place away from the woodland itself, minimizing the impact on the area and reducing the need to remove trees for access.

Karen Dee, Scottish Water’s Waste Water Services Strategy General Manager, said: “We are delighted to have completed this vital project at Lord Ancrum Woods.

“The new screened overflow will play a crucial role in protecting local watercourses and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for the community.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone for their patience and support during the planning and construction phases. This project has been a great example of collaborative work.

“With the community’s help and cooperation, we have been able to deliver the project with minimal disruption, maintaining pedestrian access and access to local football fields throughout.

“The new overflow will significantly reduce the amount of sewage-related debris entering the Mary Burn and, ultimately, the River Esk, improving the overall water environment.”

Overflows are an essential part of Scotland’s waste water infrastructure, acting as relief points to ensure storm and excess rain water does not overwhelm the system during weather events to protect our customers’ homes and businesses from flooding.

Over the past decade Scottish Water has invested £2.7 billion in improving and maintaining the country’s public drainage system and infrastructure.

Karen Dee added “We are already investing record amounts to address the challenges of ageing infrastructure and climate change.

“This additional investment of £500million will enhance the monitoring of sewer systems, reduce sewage-related debris, and minimise overflows from the sewer network.

“People have a part to play as well by only flushing the three p’s – pee, poo and toilet paper – to keep our sewers clear of blockages and our rivers and beaches clean.

“By working together, we can protect properties, communities and the environment against the impact of increasing demand and climate change.”

Our Improving Urban Waters investment programme has over 100 projects currently being developed, designed and delivered.

Work on the Lord Ancrum Woods overflow was carried out by our delivery partner Caledonia Water Alliance.

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