Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton has called for Scottish Water and the Scottish Government to take responsibility after a sewage leak in Eyemouth caused the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to step in to stop people paddling or bathing in the vicinity of the leak.
Ms Hamilton spoke out after a joint failure during planned works led to a burst in a sewage pipe on Tuesday, July 12. The maintenance work was being carried out by Scottish Water.
These comments come off the back of a 40% rise in recorded sewage spills according to the latest figures.
Ms Hamilton has previously raised issues surrounding river pollution and sewage leaks in the Scottish Parliament, holding a debate on the matter last August.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“The upward trend of water pollution as a result of faults like those we saw in Eyemouth on Tuesday must be urgently addressed by the Scottish Government.
“Those responsible need to be held to account for their actions. We rightly expect more from the SNP and Green Party coalition government in this regard. They seem unwilling to take responsibility.
“It is unacceptable that no action is seen to be taken against those responsible for harming our environment in this way. People in Eyemouth deserve to know that these incidences are not repeated, and lessons are learned.
“The SNP and Green Party should be focused on these important issues. But as ever, their priorities lie in tearing apart the union, to the detriment of people like those affected by sewage leaks in Eyemouth.”
