We asked a question on our Facebook page recently about the flashing lights we were seeing along the road on the other side of the Nith, travelling past Glencaple towards Airds Point. Did anyone know what was happening?
A number of helpful folk commented that it was tankers carrying effluence from Cargenbridge, as there had been a burst pipe that normally carries the waste.
The conversation raised more questions, and we emailed DuPont at Cargenbridge [no response], SEPA and Scottish Water with a list of these (and more).
SEPA responded to let us know that,
“The above asset is under the remit of Scottish Water, it conveys trade effluent from the pumping station at Cargenbridge to storage tanks at Airds Point. Your questions would be best directed to Scottish Water who can answer for their asset (the pipeline) and the interim measures (tankers) the nature/composition of the effluent and the tanks at Airds Point.”
and to clarify,
“there is a SEPA Licence for the discharge from the Airds Point holding tanks (as with all Scottish Water assets that discharge to the water environment). SEPA will regulate against the Conditions within this Licence and any non-compliance issues will be investigated and dealt with.”
Scottish Water, apologising for the delay responded this afternoon to let us know that,
“As you mentioned, there was a broken pipe which is why tankers were deployed.
Our teams identified the issue on 25th August. They isolated the burst and quickly moved to tankering the wastewater from a point upstream to the normal discharge outfall point. The burst was repaired and flows were restored on the morning of the 14th September.
The wastewater, which comes from Dupont Teijin Films UK Ltd, is a mixture of surface water, trade effluent and sewage. Prior to entering the Scottish Water network, it receives primary treatment. The effluent is sampled around 12 times a year by Scottish Water’s trade effluent team.
The wastewater is transferred to tanks at Airds Point and is discharged during high tide. This discharge point is authorised by SEPA. The amount discharged is dependent on a number of factors including operations at the site and weather.
As you will be aware this area is not a designated bathing water, this means that water quality sampling is not carried out routinely. There are many potential sources of pollution in any water body aside from wastewater, this includes field and road run off. I advise that you speak with SEPA if you would like more information on the water quality in natural bodies of water.
In regards to the repainting of the tanks, it is not a current maintenance requirement and we do not have funding to carry out the work at this time.
I hope that the information provided answers your questions. Please let me know if you have any further queries.”
Our list of questions:
It would reassure, and be of interest to our community, if you can tell us:
1. What is the nature of the effluence being discharged into the river?
– Does it require treatment prior to being discharged?
– Where is it treated?
– How is it treated?
– What is it’s make-up?
– What are safe levels for waste in Scottish Rivers?
– How does the DuPont waste compare?
– How often are the waste levels tested?
– And by whom?
– Would you consider it safe to use the river for watersports, fishing (including haaf net fishing), swimming, dogs to play and drink?
– Can you give us an assurance of the above?
2. Is the waste being discharged directly into the river from the tankers?
– Does this make any difference to the waste composition and safety standards?
– When do you anticipate the broken pipe being fixed?
3. How does the normal process work?
– How often is the waste discharged into the river?
– At what times is the waste discharged?
– How much is discharged each time?
– Would you consider it safe to use the river at all times of the day?
– Are there times that would be better avoided?
– Is it possible to visit the facility?
4. A request (from a born and bred local at Kenneth Bank, overlooking the tanks – ‘could the tanks be painted olive green please’.
…
Please do let us know if you get in touch with DuPont, Sepa or Scottish Water with further questions, or we can compile a further list and send them on.
CCA contact: caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com
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