Unfortunate Timing of Maintenance of Wastewater Pumping Station and Storage Tank Beneath Car Park at Bferry Beach

On Thursday 5 June 2014, Scottish Water circulated an email advising that from Sunday 8 June they would be undertaking some major maintenance work on the wastewater pumping station and storage tank sitting below the car park at Broughty Ferry Beach. As the map show this is located below ground level in Windmill Car Park at the beginning of the Esplanade.

The pumping station and storage tank, which is invisible at ground level has an underlying structure which is around 26 metres in diameter and 10 meters deep. In the interests of protecting their staff, the public and the environment during this work and to maintain safe working areas and allow access for plant and equipment, they will set up 2 small compounds within the car park which will unfortunately restrict parking for a short period of time. Details are shown in the aeriel view above. 

Scottish Water wrote:"The work can be summarised as emptying, cleaning and maintaining the storage tank. The work will commence Sunday 8th June 2014 and is expected to take around 6-7 days to complete. The work won’t affect drainage of the Broughty Ferry sewer network and won’t cause any harm to the water environment. With open manhole covers and cleaning units being used, there may be some localised odour from time to time but this will be monitored and mitigated wherever possible. There will be some overnight working to empty the storage tank but this will be done using specialist low noise pumps." 

"We appreciate that this work will cause a short term disruption to the car park so are keen to let as many people and organisations know of the activity and that it is being carefully planned and managed. We are aware of the planning that goes into the Broughty Ferry Gala Week so are aiming to have all work completed as soon as possible. In addition to nearby residents, we have also advised Dundee City Council Ward Councillors, City Engineer, Roads, Parks & Leisure, Environmental Health and Beach Management teams. We have also notified SEPA, Broughty Ferry Community Council, Broughty Ferry Traders Association, Broughty Ferry Beach Management Group, Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association, a local fitness group who regularly use the beach and operators of the new tourist Land Train."

While Scottish Water are aware of the forthcoming Gala they do not seem to be aware that their major maintenance work will overlap with the official start of the bathing season on Saturday 14 June 2014 which will not be enhanced by what they euphemistically refer to as, "some localised odour".

If you require any further information then please call Scottish Water’s 24hr Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 or email customer.services@scottishwater.co.uk