Scotland’s water is something to be proud of. We have it in precious abundance in our lochs, rivers, streams and seas.
We have some of the most stunning coastal areas anywhere in the world, including hugely popular public beaches – particularly when the weather turns for the better.
But as we reveal today, Scots are rightly concerned about the recurring problem of sewage and chemical pollution in our water.
A Survation/Scottish Environment LINK poll, shared with the Record, shows 69 per cent consider the issue the biggest threat to the health of our seas.
And it’s no wonder when untreated sewage is getting dumped into our rivers and seas more than 10,000 times in a year, as happened in 2021.
That amounts to 30 times per day, on average – which is simply disgusting.
The ability to discharge sewage into our waters via storm overflows is an important safety valve to ease pressure on the sewer system when we get extreme weather events such as
heavy rainfall.
And we know extreme weather is happening more often now due to climate change. But storm overflows shouldn’t routinely be dumping sewage into rivers and seas, as appears to be happening.
Of course, we don’t even know how often it’s taking place – because in Scotland, we only monitor a fraction of our overflows, compared to England and Wales, where they track 80 per cent of them.
That’s inexcusable and it seems as if authorities north of the Border are potentially unaware of the true scale of the problem.
We urge Scottish ministers to get a handle on this situation – because it would be a tragedy if we let our beautiful waters become sullied by sewage.
Hopes for Hamza more interesting than England vs France
There is one big event this weekend that will have all of us glued to the telly cheering on our favourite. And, no, it isn’t the World Cup semi-final between England and France.
It is, of course, the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final on Sunday night – where our very own Hamza Yassin will be giving his all to get to the final.
The fan-favourite contestant has won the hearts of Strictly fans and is a front-runner to take home the
Glitterball Trophy.
But it’s not been plain sailing for the TV nature presenter, who has been getting treatment for various aches and pains this week.
We hope he’s on top form as he gives Scotland something to cheer about tomorrow night. And remember – when the time comes to vote – it has to be Hamza.
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