Crackdown on sewage pollution in lochs and rivers

Published on 01/04/2006 01:27

MORE than 80 lochs and rivers across Scotland are to receive increased protection from sewage pollution, Rhona Brankin, the deputy environment minister announced yesterday.

The Carron, Don, Tweed and Esk are among the rivers to be designated "sensitive areas for urban waste water treatment", while the likes of Loch Leven and the south of Loch Lomond are also included.

The designation means that, to protect local wildlife, nearby sewage works will be forced to remove the worst pollution in sewage before releasing discharge. Other sources of "nutrients" that cause damaging algae to grow in the waters will also be controlled.

The new safeguards are designed to improve bathing water and promote tourism and adventure activities on many of Scotland's lochs and rivers.

Ms Brankin said the move would result in a 20-fold increase in the number of protected waterways in Scotland.

"We are committed to safeguarding and improving the quality of Scotland's water environment and to improve standards of sewage treatment," she said.

"Communities will benefit from the additional protection that the additional treatment provides for these newly designated rivers and lochs."