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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Severin Carrell Scotland editor

Sewage in Scotland’s rivers and beaches far more widespread than realised

A fast-flowing river over rapids through forest hills
The ESS said nearly half the country’s storm overflows released sewage more than 50 times. Photograph: Pep Masip/Alamy

Sewage pollution of Scotland’s rivers and beaches is far more widespread than realised because ministers have failed to take the problem seriously, an environment watchdog has found.

Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) said there were thousands of sewage overflow incidents last year, and that nearly half of the country’s storm overflows released sewage more than 50 times.

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