Cole-Hamilton: Sewage dumps are enough to run 100 million baths

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today challenged the First Minister in Parliament over sewage discharges in Scotland’s waterways and called on the government to introduce the first legally-binding targets to tackle these sewage dumps.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“The problem for the First Minister is that despite the money he has identified for those extra monitors, 70% of all dumping pipes would still go unobserved. Whereas, in England, every single pipe is due to be monitored by the end of this year. When will we catch up?m

“Look at what we’ve discovered in the last few weeks. Human waste dumped around best loved beaches, wetlands of international importance and special protection areas, from Shetland to the Clyde.

“And the First Minister should take particular interest in the most used sewage dumping outlet in Scotland.

“That recorded 127 releases last year – that’s enough to run 100 million baths.

“He will know the site well, because it is on the bank of the Clyde in his own Glasgow Pollok constituency.

“Perhaps that’s why he moved to Broughty Ferry.

“So, can I ask the First Minister, will he commit today to the introduction of legally-binding targets to tackle sewage dumping?”