Continue to invest in improvements to the wastewater service to improve freshwater biodiversity by upgrading 40 wastewater treatment works and 24 intermittent sewage discharges, as required.
Objective 1: Accelerate ecosystem restoration and regeneration
Priority Action 6. Enhance water and air quality. Undertake water management measures to enhance biodiversity
Improvements to wastewater infrastructure are being delivered through Scottish Water’s ongoing capital investment programme, supported by regulatory oversight from SEPA. This includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and intermittent sewage discharge assets as part of planned asset management and environmental compliance programmes. Delivery is ongoing and phased, with investment prioritised through statutory obligations, environmental performance requirements, and river basin management objectives. While upgrades are being implemented, biodiversity benefits will depend on completion of works and subsequent reductions in nutrient and pollution pressures in receiving waters.
Scottish Water investment in wastewater infrastructure is directly reducing pollution pressures, particularly from nutrients, organic matter and intermittent discharges. Upgrades to treatment works and sewer overflows are key to improving water quality, which is a primary driver of freshwater ecosystem health under RBMP objectives. However, biodiversity benefits depend on completion and effectiveness of upgrades, and there is limited published evidence yet linking these investments to measured ecological recovery. Once delivered at scale, these improvements can significantly enhance river and loch condition by reducing pollution inputs, supporting species recovery and improving overall ecosystem function.
Scottish Water – Investment programme
Scottish Water – Investments in your area
SEPA – Scotland’s Bathing Waters
SEPA – River Basin Management Planning
Ensure contaminants of emerging concern that may impact on biodiversity are identified through existing mechanisms with an additional system in place that uses Scottish data to identify new problems.
Represent Scottish interests in UK chemicals regulation to ensure impacts on wildlife from chemical risks are reduced (eg work towards extending current restrictions on lead in ammunition), and contribute to UK chemicals regulatory reform.
Support projects and programmes that complement regulation to address emerging or novel contaminants in the water environment, e.g. The One Health Breakthrough Partnership on pharmaceuticals and the water industry’s Chemical Investigation Programme.
Take an adaptive approach to abstraction and flows management to protect freshwater biodiversity from the impacts of water scarcity in response to future climate change pressures, using the Controlled Activity Regulations and review of abstraction.
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