Faulty plumbing contributing to Portobello sewage pollution
Scottish Water has identified 69 properties with ‘misconnections’
Faulty plumbing in dozens of properties has contributed to sewage and pollution in Portobello, a £1 million project has found.
Scottish Water has so far identified 69 properties with "misconnections" potentially allowing household waste to enter local waterways and the sea.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats called the findings "appalling".
Scottish Water is carrying out "detailed studies, modelling and on-the-ground investigations" to help better understand and address pollution in the area.
People were temporarily advised against going in the sea at Portobello Beach - a designated bathing area - over the summer due to high levels of bacteria.
A spokeswoman for Scottish Water said: “We are investing £1 million in detailed studies, modelling and on-the-ground investigations to help us better understand and address sources of pollution affecting local watercourses in the Portobello area.
“This work includes investigations on the Braid/Figgate Burn, which connects to the shore at Portobello, and the Brunstane Burn, which connects to the coast at nearby Musselburgh.
“Our investigations have identified a number of misconnections, where household wastewater pipes have been incorrectly connected to the surface water network and we will work with the relevant property owners to have these corrected.
“Work is continuing to investigate other potential sources of pollution and to assess the broader performance of our wastewater infrastructure, so that any further action or investment could be targeted where the evidence shows it might have the greatest benefit.”
The quango said it has identified 69 properties with misconnections.
“However, the nature and extent of each misconnection varies between properties, so this does not mean that all wastewater from these properties is entering local watercourses,” it added.
Scottish Water said a “misconnection” means drainage from a building has been connected to the wrong sewer network.
Sewage and waste water from toilets, baths, showers, dishwashers, washing machines and sinks should go straight into the main foul or combined sewer, it said.
However, when they are wrongly plumbed into the surface water drain – a separate pipe which should only collect rainwater and empty into the nearest water body – they can cause pollution.
“Misconnections can happen in a number of different ways,” the quango said.
“In these cases, some household wastewater is incorrectly entering the surface water drainage system, where it can then flow through the network alongside rainwater and ultimately reach a local watercourse.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat environment spokeswoman Sanne Dijkstra-Downie said: “It’s appalling that so many properties in Portobello have plumbing that could allow for wastewater to contaminate the beloved bathing spots nearby.
“Scotland’s sewage network is simply not up to scratch, and this SNP government has shown no interest in trying to fix it.
“Scottish Water must spell out what action it is taking to deal with this kind of faulty plumbing.
“The Scottish government should also listen to our calls for a Clean Water Act - that's how we take the sewage crisis seriously, track down every sewage dump, and replace outdated standards with modern, enforceable regulation.”
A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We take pollution entering our local water courses seriously. That is why the Scottish government requested Scottish Water to undertake the £1 million project at Portobello, which includes a find and fix study to identify sources of pollution.
“It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure that their wastewater is drained to the correct networks. All foul water must be drained to the sewer to protect public health and the environment. When Scottish Water identifies a possible misconnection it provides advice to the property owner or occupier on resolving the issue.”
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