Water, wastewater and drainage: consultation analysis

Views on: Wastewater and resource recovery

Quantitative responses

The results of the closed questions are as follows:

• 446 respondents (91%) agree that investment should be prioritised to address overflows that have a negative impact on the environment
• 366 respondents (74%) strongly agree and 85 (17%) agree that more should be done to stop items being disposed of down toilets or drains
• 434 respondents (88%) agree that offences for discharging to the sewer for non-household properties should be extended to other pollutants (aside from fats, oils and greases), and specifically plastic
• 323 respondents (66%) agree that offences for discharging fats, oils and greases to the sewer should be extended to household premises
• 282 respondents (57%) strongly agree and 148 (30%) agree that we should extend our monitoring of wastewater to look for new pollutants, and monitor pathogens in the community
• 430 respondents (87%) agree that resource recovery is something that Scottish Water should be undertaking
• 214 respondents (44%) strongly agree and 174 (35%) agree that Scottish Water should be able to use the money it receives from customer charges to invest in resource recovery hubs
• 414 respondents (84%) agree that all wastewater treatment systems, regardless of size or ownership, should be tested and inspected to ensure that they do not impact negatively on the environment
• 142 respondents (29%) agree and 135 (28%) strongly agree that owners of existing private wastewater systems should be required to connect to the public system where connection is possible, beneficial and not expensive. However, 127 respondents (26%) neither agree nor disagree

In addition to the closed questions, we posed four additional free text questions to gauge respondents views and suggestions on wastewater and resource recovery. These free text questions received a smaller number of responses than the closed questions.

Qualitative responses

Question 23: How do you think we can change behaviours to avoid the disposal of substances or matter in the toilet/sewer (e.g. wet wipes, cotton buds, nappies and hygiene products etc.)?

Of the 411 responses to this question 175 responses (43%) suggested that better education would make a difference, with many respondents referring to education in schools. Respondents referred specifically to ‘education’ as a tool to help people understand the negative impact of disposing substances or matter in the toilet/sewer has on wastewater and sewerage networks as well as the environment. Respondents referred to curriculum changes in schools, community consultations and use of case studies as a means of creating behaviour change.

The second most common response with 165 (40%) was using public information campaigns to create behaviour change. Respondents referred to media such as television, radio, leaflets, social media and public notices as some of the ways awareness of the issues could be raised. Many respondents referred to the need to show the public the outcomes of disposing inappropriate items down the toilet or into the sewer. The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association noted that ‘While there are valid concerns that it may be confusing to consumers that some wipes are flushable and others are not, this confusion can be mitigated by clear, consistent messaging and awareness campaigns. Public awareness, education and agreement is needed to help deliver the message on what is considered suitable, and acceptable, for flushing’. It should be noted that no wet wipes, whether described as ‘flushable’ or not, should be disposed of into the sewer as they can lead to blockages.

The next most prevalent response with 81 (20%) was banning or restricting use of these products, such as wet wipes, cotton buds and other plastic based hygiene products. Many respondents referred to replacing these products with biodegradable alternatives. Respondents drew parallels with other initiatives such as the reduction in plastic bag use and the increase in use of paper, rather than plastic, straws. Respondents suggested that a similar change could be implemented in relation to products that often get flushed down the toilet.

Apart from the three most frequent themes, there were a few other emerging themes. The most frequent among them were improved labelling on products, mainly to signal that they are not ‘flushable’, (58 responses) and penalising or prosecuting offenders (51 responses).

Question 24: It is already an offence for non-household properties to discharge fats, oils and greases to the sewer. Do you agree that offences should be extended to:

• include other pollutants, and specifically plastic?
• extend the offence to household premises?

This question featured multiple-choice options for two questions (seen in the bullet points above) and also included a free text section for respondents to add additional views. These additional views from the free text section have been included below.

Of the 288 respondents who decided to provide additional information in the free text field, 65 suggested that it would be hard to enforce offences. Respondents referred to a lack of funding and resourcing for policing this as well as difficulties with identifying the household or individual responsible, particularly in densely populated areas. Although in the yes/no section of this question respondents show that they support extending offences, many believe that this would be difficult to enforce.

The second most common theme, with 18 responses, was that alternative waste disposal methods should be provided. There was a sense that it needs to be easy for people to dispose of items appropriately. Some respondents referred to collection sites and grease/fat and oil collection specifically. One respondent noted that ‘There needs to be better recycling options for households to deal with oils, fats and greases. Currently it is difficult to access places where these can be disposed of, such as recycling centres which are often difficult to access for those without personal transport.’

Another response to this question which received 18 responses, was a call for penalties to be extended. Respondents referred to fining those that carry out these offences as a possible deterrent.

Other frequently mentioned themes included the need for education on this matter (17 responses) and using public information campaigns to spread awareness (10 responses). Both of these responses captured similar comments to those raised in the question above, with suggestions that more needs to be done to help people make better decisions when it comes to disposing items down toilets/into sewers.

Question 29: What support do owners and users of private wastewater systems require to best protect the environment?

Of the 306 responses to this question, 122 (40%) referred to the need for more and/or better information and advice for private wastewater system users. Respondents noted that access to professional/expert advice would be helpful as well as having a central location for accessible advice, tools and support.

The next most common response, with 55 (18%) was the need for financial support.

Many respondents referred specifically to the need for grants to upgrade systems as well as access to financial advice. The Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament noted that ‘A grant for wastewater systems, in line with a revised PWS grant should be introduced to encourage users to improve existing treatment systems or initial installation in the case of direct discharge’.

The third most prevalent response, with 50 (16%), was education. Respondents highlighted that greater understanding of the responsibility of private wastewater

supply owners would be helpful, as well as understanding of the negative impact that systems can have on the environment and surrounding water when not managed correctly.

Other responses to this question included testing, including this being more regular, affordable, free and/or accessible (26 responses), monitoring (23 responses) and enforcement of current regulations (13 responses).

Question 31: Do you have any further views on public and private wastewater systems?

There was a very broad range of responses to this question. Of the 204 responses to this question, 10 (5%) promoted resource recovery. Respondents pointed to the benefits of recycling waste in terms of the circular economy and the importance of this for Scotland’s future.

The next two frequent responses, by a narrow margin, were limiting Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and not forcing owner and users of Private Wastewater System to connect to the mains, both with 3 responses each (1%). There were a number of comments in relation to CSOs, with limiting the number of spills being the highest response. In relation to CSOs, respondents suggested that this should be prioritised as a matter of public health.

In relation to Private Wastewater Systems connecting to the mains, respondents noted that owners and users of private supplies should not be forced to connect to the mains supply if they are managing their wastewater correctly. Other responses about connecting to the public network, included that this should be free or financial support should be provided. Some respondents suggested that this should be mandatory though others disagreed.

Engagement sessions

There was one engagement session specifically focussed on wastewater and resource recovery, with comments on this subject also being made at engagement sessions covering the entire consultation, including tailored sessions with key stakeholders. The main themes from the feedback received at these sessions have been detailed below.

On resource recovery, funding and data were highlighted as key to identifying opportunities. In relation to emerging contaminants, there was support for the extension of monitoring activities. Some participants also noted that there is a need for people to understand the requirement for investment in surveillance monitoring (this refers to the monitoring of substances and viruses e.g. Covid 19).

On inappropriate items being disposed of down the sewer, participants mainly referred to the need for the ownness to be put on the producer of these items, particularly in relation to plastics being removed from these products, and the requirement for behaviour change. Relying on extending offences could be a good incentive to change behaviour, although participants also remarked that it would be challenging to identify offenders and this is not the only available tool to stop incorrect disposal. There is also a need for the government to be seen to tackle this issue.

In relation to Private Wastewater Systems, some respondents discussed the need for septic tanks to be better regulated. It was also acknowledged that when owners and users of private supplies sign up for a package of treatment works many do not sign up for maintenance support. Additionally, there was discussion on cost as being a barrier to change, particularly in relation to registering systems and carrying out risk assessments. Some participants advised that while it would be useful to have a register of all systems it should be more affordable for owners and users to register their systems.