Regular students of River Community Council affairs will know that over the 30 year plus history of that organisation they haven’t been shy in fighting for better sewage treatment facilities in the town and stuck to their guns often in the face of fierce argument from former Councillor Nigel Graham and the late Bob Farrow. They continue in the new millennium to demand that Nairn’s sewage infrastructure is kept up to date. On Tuesday night after their meeting with the Bus Station developer’s rep they discussed a number of matters including the continuing discharges, in periods of heavy rain, from the inspection covers on either side of the
River’s campaign received support from Brian Stewart at the West CC last night. He was concerned that the town’s sewage infrastructure would not be able to cope with any more housing developments. Brian stated: "I'm raising specifically that current and recent evidence confirms beyond doubt that there are existing infrastructure problems with drainage, waste water and sewage capacity in Nairn and that is without any of the new buildings that are planned for Nairn South or anywhere else."
Well done River Community Council- asking for a full disclosure of the sewage infrastructure problems from these 3 organisations is the right way to perhaps get answers and resolutions to this problem.
ReplyDeleteGetting the full support from all the Nairn councils to resolve the sewage problem for the whole Towns sake is right too.
I find it totally unbelievable that the community council have been campaigning for thirty years to stop untreated sewage being sent into the river.
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't the swans in the river given the same rights as town residents when it comes to sewage disposal? Surely the swans are as important (if not more) than any human?
River CC have been active on a range of sewage related issues in the past not just the river.
ReplyDeleteIn the past River CC campaigned for and got tertiary treatment for Nairn sewage and thus ensured a better standard of bathing water on the beach. That sewage works is getting on a bit now and as Brian Stewart states there are perhaps capacity issues for the entire sewage infrastructure of the town - is this something to do with the problems down at the Sewage Bridge perhaps?
The Swans will just have to continue taking their chance I'm afraid, all over Scotland at times of heavy rainfall, filthy water, can get into the rivers and onto the beaches. Improvements can be made to a certain extent yes but it will probably always happen but maybe more investment could help the wildlife down the river too?
The specific problem around the sewage bridge is that the discharges are onto paths and grass areas that are heavily frequented by human beings.
Maybe new housing shouldn't be allowed unless the developers check on sewage capacity and their sewers connected only if the system has capacity.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the pipe bridge needs to be closed and the sewage taken elsewhere.
I can't understand why sewers flood if it rains. Surely sewers are designed to remove rainfall?
This observer would recommend the following SEPA document that tells you a lot about the risks to water quality in the river and on the beaches Bathing water profile: Nairn Central
ReplyDelete"The principal risks and source of wet weather driven short term pollution at this bathing water arise from surface water urban drainage, agricultural run-off, combined sewer overflows and treated sewage effluent. These events are expected to last 1–2 days depending on the duration of the rainfall and may result in elevated bacteria levels compared to dry conditions.
Our regulatory and scientific assessment indicates that potential sources of short-term faecal indicator pollution at this bathing water can at times originate from human or animal sources.
Bathing is not advisable during or following (one or two days after) rainfall. Bathing or swimming after storms, floods or heavy rainfall should be avoided as the risk of illness following short term water pollution is increased."
Swans and ducks, herons, salmon, trout etc and quite a few other creatures don't have the choice of staying out of the water after heavy rainfall of course.
Maybe more reason for swans and ducks to take presidence before housing for humans.
ReplyDeleteof course development at the bus station would mean more sewage connected to the river. why can't this be connected to the sewage works like a lot of Nairn is?
@ anon 8.35 : everything is connected to the sewage system, it's just that it sometimes doesn't make it all the way there. Hence Brian Stewart's questions about infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteWell I suppose if sepa are happy, why should we complain.
ReplyDeleteNatural run off from the land, via burns diches and drains is to be expected. It's when we hear the same old excuses from Scottish water - like fat in the pipes , heavy rainfall etc, that make our eyes roll again. The sewage system MUST be fit for purpose, and maintained accordingly, no if's or but's ! IF IT'S BROKE FIX IT !
ReplyDeleteMaybe developers near the Merryton bridge should have upgraded the sewer, before adding to the load on the sewer, and not put the issue to the community council.
ReplyDelete