Clean Up Scotland’s Sewage Coalition brings together community groups, NGOs and individuals demanding urgent action to protect people and nature from sewage pollution.
We campaign collectively under the banner ‘Clean Up Scotland’s Sewage’ to raise public debate and support for the immediate and long-term reforms needed to stop constant spills from sewer overflows.
Coalition members
Scotland needs a new sewage law
The Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations and other water laws have made Scotland’s waters so much cleaner.
But now, these regulations are over 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose.
Last year alone, Scottish Water recorded over 100,000 sewage spills. Outdated sewerage infrastructure is struggling to cope, and we have fallen behind in tackling toxic sewage pollutants. Without action, climate change will only increase spills.
Scotland is not alone with these problems, but we lag behind with solutions. The EU has already updated its laws to curb pollution and a Clean Water Bill is in the works in England.
We all care about having clean rivers, lochs and seas to protect nature, communities and our human right to safe water. To tackle water pollution, we need a national conversation on how to make transformational change.
Let’s start by dealing with sewage.
We want new legislation to…
Sewer overflow by Friends of the River Clyde.
1. Make pollution visible
Around half of Scotland’s 4,226 overflows are not monitored. Nationwide monitoring is needed to give public bodies the evidence to stop pollution and let people know where spills are happening, so we can avoid getting sick from them.
Monitor all sewer overflows so we know how often they pollute our waters.
Sewage-polluted stream by Linlithgow Angling Club.
2. Stop routine pollution
Public bodies regularly claim that 87% of Scotland’s rivers, lochs and coasts have good or better water quality. But this picture is incomplete: it leaves out pollutants like PFAS (forever chemicals), microplastics and pharmaceuticals.
Match EU standards for surface water quality and wastewater treatment to limit toxic chemicals.
Sewage litter on a beach by the Marine Conservation Society.
3. Hold polluters to account
Last year, 21% of overflows were classified as ‘unsatisfactory’. That is 892 overflows officially known to pollute or fail to comply with permits. Meanwhile, for communities, even having clear evidence of pollution does not guarantee it gets cleaned up.
Give public bodies the resources to enforce the law.
Sustainable drainage system planter by ERCS.
4. Build in resilience
Sewerage infrastructure is ageing and under pressure from urban growth, and climate change. What worked decades ago is no longer enough. However, greenspaces and sustainable drainage systems can help sewers by absorbing rainwater.
Set interim targets for 2030 to invest in blue-green infrastructure to reduce sewage spills.
What you can do
Paddle-out protest at Rhu by Surfers Against Sewage.
Give us the evidence
Give us evidence of sewage pollution so we can demand action. Do you know a polluted river, loch or beach? Write a postcard for ERCS’s map. Did you get ill from polluted water? Report it to Surfers Against Sewage.
Beach clean by Marine Conservation Society.
Join a beach clean
Sewage often contains litter – wet wipes, sanitary pads or cotton buds – that wash up on beaches after spills. You can help clean this up by joining a beach clean with the Marine Conservation Society.
Check for spills & challenge pollution
Is there a sewage spill near me?
Around 50% of sewer overflows in Scotland have monitors which record when a spill starts and ends. We do not know when or how much the other 50% of overflows spill.
To see which monitored overflows are spilling now or have recently, go to Scottish Water’s Overflow Map. It also shows bathing waters and recent rainfall.
The UK Live Sewage Map by Surfers Against Sewage has live spill data too, but also shows how many times a monitored overflow has spilled in the past. You can choose to view spills within a specific week or month.
Surfers Against Sewage also has a Safer Seas & Rivers Service App that shows alerts and pollution forecasts for designated bathing waters.
How can I report sewage pollution?
If you come across sewage pollution, note down evidence (photos, videos, in writing) and report it to both SEPA and Scottish Water.
- SEPA pollution report form / hotline 0800 807060
- Scottish Water pollution hotline 0800 0778778
Contact ERCS’s free Law Service for further support and legal advice, especially if you feel stuck.
Latest news
For community groups & organisations: Support or join us
Thank you to all of you who already support this Clean Up Scotland’s Sewage Coalition! If your group or organisation is in Scotland, you can:
- Sign up as a supporter to show decision-makers and public bodies that you care, and help us by sharing important calls to action.
- Join us as a member to work together on our campaign.
