New 'super sewer' a massive boost to Perth's economy

Scottish Water is on track to complete the biggest overhaul of Perth’s water and drainage infrastructure in a generation, supporting the Fair City’s rapid growth and improving its resilience to climate change.

A major package of investment worth £140 million is being delivered, spanning development areas north and west of the city; the recently completed ‘super sewer’ in Tay Street and Shore Road; and a major upgrade to the city’s Waste Water Treatment Works at Sleepless Inch.

A massive boost to Perth’s Economy

The work provides the capacity needed to serve new homes and businesses, equivalent to a 40% increase in the city’s population, while also reducing the risk of sewers being overwhelmed during intense rainfall.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin, joined Scottish Water Chief Executive, Alex Plant, in Tay Street to see first-hand the extent of the works.

Over a two-year period, Scottish Water worked to excavate and install a 2.2 metre diameter pipeline, beneath Tay Street and Shore Road, to reinforce the spine of the city’s sewer system. The major engineering project involved extensive utility diversions, temporary alterations to the city centre’s road network, pumping of the city’s main sewer through temporary pipework above ground and deep excavation in the challenging conditions alongside the River Tay.

Work in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council was instrumental in the design of the scheme, throughout its delivery and in the full reinstatement of the affected roads at completion. A stakeholder group met regularly to manage the impact of the work on Tay Street businesses; and the project team worked with volunteers from Beautiful Perth to add extra colour to the reinstated city riverfront in the project’s final stages.

After seeing and hearing about the super sewer’s delivery, Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Extreme weather is becoming more common as a result of climate change, with more heavy rainfall and flooding events taking place across the country.

“This super sewer in Perth, is a great example of evidence-led investment by Scottish Water to addresses known flood risks making the local community more resilient to the impacts of climate change whilst also preparing for the growing number of people living in the local area.

“I have also been impressed by the way our publicly owned Scottish Water have engaged with the local community taking care to inform them of progress and take account of their needs during the delivery of this vital investment.”

Further Perth Investment Planned

Ms Martin was also briefed on the progress of major work elsewhere in the city. In addition to the super sewer, over 6km of new strategic sewer has been installed to drain growing communities to the west of the city bypass. A 6 million litre drinking water storage tank has been built on high ground above Bertha Park; and over 9 km of new strategic water mains have been laid. A £61.5 m upgrade to Perth Waste Water Treatment Works is also underway and expected to be complete by early 2027.

Scottish Water Chief Executive Alex Plant said: “This project is a massive boost to Perth’s growing economy. We’re delivering the biggest upgrade to the City’s water infrastructure for a generation, ensuring that the city can continue to grow and flourish, even in the face of the real challenges that more extreme weather brings.

“The work here in Tay Street was difficult and disruptive while it was underway – but the result is a riverfront returned to its best, with infrastructure that is ready for the future. We’re grateful for the community’s patience and willingness to work with us to achieve the long-term benefits which will last for decades to come.

“Partnership work in this case unlocked the opportunity to support the city’s growth and reduce flood risk at the same time. Long-term investment like this is essential to meet the long-term challenges of more extreme weather, population change and renewing infrastructure, but we know that engineering alone won’t be enough. We need to work more closely than ever before with our partners and with our customers to recognise Scotland’s water as a precious resource and take care of it.”

Scottish Water’s Economic Impact

Recent work by independent economists found that Scottish Water’s activity contributes almost £4.5billion of value to Scotland’s economy every year. For every £1 invested, around £3 of value is created through jobs with Scottish Water and its supply chain. Investment in major infrastructure upgrades like Perth also has a critical enabling role, supporting the provision of much-needed new homes and helping to reduce the risk of flooding in intense rainstorms.