Greens call for action to stop Scotland’s rivers becoming “open sewers”
The Scottish Government must use next week’s Programme for Government to introduce a Clean Water Bill and take urgent action to protect Scotland’s rivers and lochs from pollution, say the Scottish Greens.
Such a bill would require every sewage overflow in Scotland to be monitored, force action when pollution is detected and tighten controls on harmful chemicals used in and around waterways.
The Greens say the legislation would put an end to a system in which pollution can go undetected and polluters can avoid meaningful consequences, while giving communities the information and protections they need to enjoy their local rivers and lochs safely.
According to the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, more than 30 billion litres of raw sewage entered Scotland’s waterways through sewer overflows in 2024.
The party’s nature spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, said:
“Scotland’s rivers and lochs should be places where nature thrives and people can swim, fish and enjoy the outdoors, and not dumping grounds for raw sewage.
“Yet billions of litres of sewage are being pumped into our waterways while far too many of our sewer overflows aren’t even being monitored.
“For too long, polluters have been allowed to treat Scotland’s natural environment as someone else’s problem. Communities are left to deal with dirty waterways while those responsible face far too little scrutiny and too few consequences.
“A clean water bill could turn the tide. It would mean proper monitoring of sewage discharges, swift action when pollution is found and tougher enforcement against those who break the rules.
“People have a basic right to know when their local river or loch has been polluted, and polluters should be made to pay for cleaning up the damage they cause.
“Clean water is not a luxury. It is essential for wildlife, tackling flooding, our climate and people’s health and wellbeing. Scotland’s rivers and lochs belong to all of us, and they deserve the strongest possible protection.”