Scots loch once home to US nuclear subs becomes dumping ground for sewage
Data has revealed dozens of cases of potentially illegal discharges of sewage on dry weather days into the Holy Loch, near Dunoon.
A west coast loch formerly home to US nuclear submarines has now become a dumping ground – for raw sewage. Data has revealed dozens of cases of potentially illegal discharges of sewage into the Holy Loch, near Dunoon, even on dry days.
Under the law, untreated wastewater from the sewer system is only meant to be pumped into rivers and lochs during exceptionally bad weather to prevent flooding. So-called 'dry spills' are considered much more toxic for the environment and wildlife because discharges are not diluted by heavy rainfall.
However, a report by watchdog Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) has highlighted 31 potential instances in 2023 where sewage was dumped at the Ardnadam sewage pumping station in the Holy Loch on dry days. The Scottish Lib Dems accused Scottish Water – and SNP ministers – of being 'woefully complacent' in tackling the issue.
Alan Reid, the party's Argyll and Bute candidate for next year's Holyrood election, said: 'The ESS directly told Scottish Water and SEPA it was underestimating the scale of the problem.
"So to sit on their hands and not at least investigate the potential issues raised in Dunoon is simply not good enough.'
The sea loch, in the Firth of Clyde, was a key location for the US Navy during the Cold War, hosting a submarine base for its Polaris nuclear missile system from 1961 to 1992.
Former US nuclear submarine commander Captain James Bush later admitted radioactive material had been dumped in the waters through the 1960s.
In 1998, the Ministry of Defence launched a £5million multi-agency effort to clean up the Holy Loch.
Scottish Water confirmed, via freedom of information, that it has 'not carried out any follow-up investigations' on the ESS' findings around dry sewage spills at the Dunoon loch.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 'To turn the tide on this scandal, Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would see a clampdown on discharges and get to the bottom of this disgusting practice.'
Henry Swithinbank, of Surfers Against Sewage, said: "It's shocking that despite being provided with evidence about potential illegal spills, Scottish Water has done nothing to look into the issue or rectify it.
'This is symptomatic of a system in Scotland where Scottish Water seems to act with impunity.'
Scottish Water said it 'takes its environmental responsibilities seriously', adding it was carrying out a study of wastewater infrastructure in Dunoon.
A spokesperson said: 'This study aims to understand the problem by looking at flooding risks, how well our current infrastructure like pumping stations and sewer overflows are working, and the impact of rainwater on our system.'
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Regulator SEPA said investment to improve the sewer network will 'continue to prioritise combined sewer overflows, which are suspected of discharging in dry weather'.
An ESS spokeswoman welcomed Scottish Water commitments to tackle the issue but added: 'Spills in dry weather should not happen.'
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