Sewage frequently dumped on environmentally protected Scots sites last year

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Sewage is being regularly dumped on more than a dozen environmentally protected sites in Scotland, new research shows. SNP ministers face growing pressure to address the crisis after shock data revealed 7.6million cubic metres of sewage were released at beloved parks, beaches and waterways of special significance last year.The grim total - the equivalent of more than 3000 Olympic swimming pools of filth - was uncovered by the Lib Dems via freedom of information laws.They found sewage was dumped at environmentally important locations such as the Inner Clyde, Hamilton Lows Park, the Firth of Forth, the Upper Solway Flats and Marches, North Orkney and Shetland’s East Mainland Coast.Between them are 11 Sites of Special Scientific interest (SSSI), four Wetlands of International Importance (RAMSAR) and six Special Protection Areas (SPA).The true scale of the crisis in Scotland is unknown - as just 4 per cent of overflows along our 31,000-mile sewer network are monitored, compared to 89 per cent in England.New First Minister Humza Yousaf vowed to intervene last month after it was revealed sewage had been dumped on award-winning beaches more than 400 times in a year.Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Scotland is world famous for its beautiful outdoors and its fascinating biodiversity.“But these figures suggest that at a host of scientifically significant sites such as rivers and lakes, sewage is discharged into the natural environment.“What’s more, this is almost certainly a significant understatement, because less than one in 20 discharge pipes are actually monitored.“The First Minister has made a personal commitment to look into the health of Scotland’s waterways - the first step will be to get a handle