Following My Complaints, Scottish Water Respond to Leaks from the Sewers on Broughty Ferry Stony Beach

Leaking foul water on the Stony Beach
beneath Douglas Terrace
Click on image to enlarge

On Wednesday last week, I contacted Scottish Water to complain again about the persistent leaks from sewers onto Broughty Ferry stony beach close to Douglas Terrace.

I had observed and photographed foul water leaking onto the beach at multiple locations in the space of two hundred metres. 

I also let Scottish Water know that, on a day without much wind to disperse the odour, the smell was lingering and very unpleasant. I had received complaints about this from constituents.

I think this is a health hazard, it's certainly unpleasant for residents and visitors and completely unacceptable. 

Furthermore, the resultant water pollution also threatens to undermine the work to help Broughty Ferry sandy beach regain it's Blue Flag.

Over more than two years I have been writing to Scottish Water about these issues. Scottish Water responding by sending out more squads of work people that pour concrete onto the beach is clearly not working.

While I appealed for these multiple sources of pollution to be contained and the leaks repaired, I also appealed to Scottish Water to bring forward their overdue plans to upgrade the sewerage system at this point.  Last October their engineers predicted they would bring forward a scheme in 6-8 months. Nine months later I know many of my constituents think it's time for delivery.

Scottish Water Engineer inspecting the leaks
Click on image to enlarge

On Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August Scottish Water came out to fix the leaks. They also hand delivered a letter to all the local residents in the vicinity to explain what they are doing. In this letter they wrote:

'The main issue at present is at West Ferry Pumping Station, resulting in two intermittent leaks of waste water onto the foreshore. These two weak points in the system are shown in the plan overleaf and were inspected by Scottish Water and SEPA today. To overcome this problem, are working through the following actions:

Temporary additional pump in action
Click on image to enlarge

Installation of additional temporary pumping at West Ferry Pumping Station to draw down the level in the sewerage system. This was implemented today and has relieved the pressure on the system and stopped the leaks to the foreshore. Unfortunately, this action requires the 24hr use of a generator for a period of time. Veolia Water have sourced the quietest generator on the market to try and avoid any noise disruption and we hope this is effective.

Following the success of the additional pumping, a new seal will be installed at the Douglas Terrace leak location. Veolia Water will continue to work over this weekend to complete the work.

Also, once the level in the system has been drawn down, Veolia Water will need to take access to he Pumping Station to inspect all below ground assets and ensure optimum operation going forward. The station has worked effectively for a number of years and we will restore this level of performance.

Major works will be required at the walkway leak location, entailing demolition and reconstruction of an underground chamber. This will remove the leak risk and reinstate the beach to its former condition. Veolia Water have been instructed to undertake these works but a contractor has yet to be appointed. We will provide a further update in advance of these works.'

I am glad that Scottish Water admit that they have two linked problems; the leaking underground vessel on the beach beneath the walkway and pumps that are not working properly at the West Ferry Pumping Station. I am sure residents will be relieved when these long term repairs are in place. They will look forward to a return to the peace and quiet and fresh air they deserve. I think members of the Beach Management Group will be pleased when these persistent leaks are fixed and are not undermining their efforts for Broughty Ferry to regain the Blue Flag for our sandy beach.