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DATA HAS REVEALED DOZENS OF CASES OF POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL DISCHARGES OF SEWAGE ON DRY WEATHER DAYS INTO THE HOLY LOCH, NEAR DUNOON. 14:36, 21 May 2025 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.” JOIN THE DAILY RECORD WHATSAPP COMMUNITY! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive
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investment to improve the sewer network will “continue to prioritise combined sewer overflows, which are suspected of discharging in dry weather”. Article continues below An ESS spokeswoman
welcomed Scottish Water commitments to tackle the issue but added: “Spills in dry weather should not happen.”