Hansard

The point that I am trying to make is that, when we seek to refer to specific incidents, we should be very clear about the term “raw sewage” and the extent to which SEPA monitors it. If the member wishes to discuss individual situations with me, I am always happy to do so, and SEPA will be content to do that, too.

As some members have explained, the system that we have is designed to overflow so that, when there is intense rainfall, very dilute sewage will spill. The alternative would be to have waste water backing up into customers’ homes, which I think—and I hope that we can all agree—would not be acceptable.

As members should know, the process must be licensed by SEPA, our environment agency, which will ensure that there is no adverse effect on the water environment. Unfortunately, and as members such as Siobhian Brown and Sarah Boyack have reflected, climate change means that we are now experiencing storm conditions more regularly, and intense rainfall events, which are going to become more frequent, are overwhelming urban drainage systems.

We are already taking action in anticipation of that. Scottish Water no longer accepts new surface water connections to the sewer unless there is no alternative, and we are looking to utilise nature-based solutions including blue-green infrastructure, which can turn the management of rain and surface water from a problem into an opportunity. That is preventive action. I understand, however, that members and the public want to know that the infrastructure and the CSOs are being improved.

I will briefly say where we have come from, before looking to where we are going. Since 2010, Scottish Water, working with SEPA, has taken action to upgrade 104 waste water treatment works and 279 storm overflows across the country. That has been backed by £686 million of investment. We now plan to go even further. In the Scottish Water route map, plans are set out to invest a further £500 million during the period from 2021 to 2027. That will include approximately £150 million to improve the remaining 40 waste water treatment works and 26 priority storm overflows over the next six years. That will benefit around 400km of Scotland’s rivers and lochs. The route map also sets out how it will deliver solutions for another 235 storm overflows by 2031. Again, that is backed by £150 million. I mention for the benefit of Mercedes Villalba that the work is on track, and I will be happy to keep members up to date on that.

Monitoring has been mentioned. The route map sets out plans to improve monitoring and public communication regarding more than 1,000 of the highest-priority storm overflows by 2024. Scottish Water is currently working to identify the right locations for monitoring. In December this year, it will publish its first annual update to highlight the progress made.

In the time that I have left, I will briefly mention wild swimming. The figures that are cited in the motion were not produced by SEPA, and, in SEPA’s opinion, they do not reflect how advice on water quality ought to be given. It must be remembered that rivers and other open water locations that are not bathing waters are managed for the purpose of protecting fish and wildlife, not people. Indeed, the UK Health Security Agency advises that

“Anyone can become unwell from swimming in any open water”.

As I have said, however, 99 per cent of our designated bathing waters are passing environmental standards, with more of them than ever reaching the “Excellent” level.

I will conclude, as I am conscious of the time. After a decade of investment, backed by nearly £700 million, 66 per cent of Scotland’s water is of good quality. There will always be challenges, with an ageing infrastructure and the challenges of climate change, but we are determined to keep improving. We will continue to deliver investment to ensure that our environmental targets are met. As I said in December 2021, I will continue to work with members across the Parliament to achieve the Government’s ambitions.