Question reference: S6W-10890
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 6 September 2022
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 September 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding its progress towards installing spill monitors on all sewer overflows that discharge to designated bathing waters by the end of 2024.
Answer
The Scottish Government is in regular discussions with Scottish Water on a wide range of issues. In relation to spill monitors, the first programme of installation has been focussed on proximity to bathing waters, particularly those that are at risk of failing to meet minimum water quality standards. In line with Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Route Map, it aims to install 1,000 new monitors by 2024. Scottish Water is continuing to define the priority locations for installation of monitors and it is expected that around 400 will be required to monitor overflows within 2km of bathing waters.
Scottish Water is working on developing a specification for the monitors by reviewing lessons learned from the roll out in England and Wales and by consulting with its supply chain. Scottish Water is looking to leverage maximum value from the monitors it installs so that overall intelligence in how the sewerage system is operating can be improved.