Sewage overflow on River Thurso to be cleared, Scottish Water vows
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Action will be taken to clear a “disgraceful” sewage overflow beside the River Thurso, Scottish Water has promised.
The unsightly mess is close to the riverside walk and behind Thurso High School, where a leak of heating oil has also impacted the water.
Councillor Matthew Reiss shared photographs of the sewage, which he took on Monday. The pictures also show anti-pollution measures in place to stem the unrelated oil spill.
He told the John O’Groat Journal: “The sewage is truly awful, given part of the river is an SSSI [Site of Special Scientific Interest]. It was a problem in past years but this latest overflow is major and, frankly, disgraceful. It needs sorted if possible.”
The Groat contacted Scottish Water about the problem, and the utility confirmed that there is a combined sewer overflow (CSO) in the area which is not currently monitored.
When shown the photographs, a spokeswoman said they would be passed to sewer response colleagues “so we can attend and take the appropriate action”.
She said that a damaged mesh screen at the site, which is used to catch debris and to prevent it entering the watercourse, had also been replaced.
She added that as part of a £500 million investment, 1000 new CSO monitors would be installed by the end of next year. When asked if the location on the River Thurso would be included in that, she said: “Yes, it is due to have a monitor installed as part of our programme of investment and this will give us data and insight into the CSO operation locally.”
She added: “Also, we would urge Thurso residents to report any evidence of sewage-related debris (sometimes referred to as SRD) so we can attend and organise for a clean-up to be carried out.
“The best way to do this is via our 24/7 customer engagement centre on 0800 0778 778, and as close to the time of sighting so we can attend as soon as possible.”
She said that people can play a part in keeping drains clear by not flushing wipes and other non-flushable items down the toilet.
“Scotland’s rivers and coastal waters are in good health – 87 per cent of waterbodies achieve good or better water quality,” the spokeswoman said. “Scottish Water has invested £2.7 billion in improving and maintaining the country’s public drainage system and infrastructure over the past decade to help achieve this position.
“Our Improving Urban Waters Routemap, which supports the national River Basin Management objectives (92 per cent good water quality by 2027), commits us to further investment of up to £500 million – including the installation of 1000 new monitors at the highest priority sites by December 2024 to provide improved information on overflows and the way they work, when required, to drain large volumes of rainwater safely away from communities.
“The programme will also further improve water quality, significantly reduce the risk of sewage related debris (SRD) such as wet wipes being released and reduce sewer network spills.
“Everyone has a part to play in protecting and enhancing the quality of Scotland’s coasts and rivers. That’s why our Nature Calls campaign, which we launched last year, is encouraging people never to flush wipes or other unflushable items down the toilet.
“Less than 1 per cent of what is spilled under licence during heavy rainfall is actually sewage from toilets and the vast majority is run-off from roads and roofs as well as grey water from household appliances.”
