River Almond Investment

Background

In recent years, there has been a growing level of public interest and engagement regarding the wastewater cycle particularly in relation to how Scottish Water’s infrastructure interacts with local rivers and burns. One notable area of focus has been the River Almond near East Calder.

Scottish Water is working in collaboration with community groups and partner agencies to explore and deliver environmental improvements in this area. We have committed to a range of investment activities to support both short-term progress and longer-term environmental outcomes.

Investment Activities

In 2021, Scottish Water published its Urban Waters Route Map, setting out plans to invest up to £500 million in Scotland’s wastewater network. This investment aims to drive further environmental improvements and ensure that Scotland’s rivers, beaches and urban waters are free from sewage-related debris.

This programme enables targeted investment in areas such as enhanced monitoring and upgrades to the worst-performing Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

Within the Almond catchment, we are installing advanced monitoring technology and sensors to deliver on our commitment to improved performance oversight. These sensors, now operational in East Calder, are already providing valuable insights that help prevent sewer debris from entering the river.

In addition, we are planning significant investment to upgrade seven wastewater treatment works including East Calder and five CSOs identified in River Basin Management Plans as necessary to support achieving ‘Good’ ecological status for the River Almond.

As part of our commitment to openness and transparency, we have launched a publicly accessible overflow map. This online resource enables users to view near real-time data from monitored CSOs and better understand how storm overflows operate within the local environment.
View the Live Overflow Map

Lighthouse project:

Scottish Water is a partner in the Lighthouse Project, a multi-agency initiative currently in its early stages. This project is focused on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the River Almond and East Calder catchment and identifying potential solutions to the environmental challenges it faces. A key area of exploration is sustainable rainwater management and the types of interventions that could deliver meaningful, long-lasting improvements.

Communications and Engagement

Scottish Water is a member of the River Almond Water Quality Improvement Group, which is chaired by Angela Constance MSP. The group is geographically focused on the West Lothian section of the River Almond and is particularly engaged in supporting a potential Bathing Water designation near East Calder.