Scottish Water is currently investigating claims of a potential sewage spill in the River Leven.
A report was made to Scottish Water by the Friends of Leven River Valley, an environmental team based in Leven, who fear a possible sewage spill in the Leven near Dalreoch train station.
Pete Robinson from Friends of Leven River Valley reported it.
He said: “We believe there are problems on the Leven and the Clyde with unfiltered sewage being discharged into the rivers.
“You can often see wet wipes and things like that wash up on the shore. That particular viaduct is next to Dalreoch train station, and you can see it quite clearly from the cycle track.
“As a group, the Friends of Leven River Valley, we have cleaned it up on several occasions. However, every time we have reported it to Scottish Water they claim it is a historical blockage they have sorted, but when we clear it, we go back, and there is more there again. I think it is an ongoing situation.”
Scottish Water is currently investigating the report and is in the process of checking the water system nearby to make sure it is operating correctly.
It is also understood that this is the third report that Scottish Water has received regarding potential sewage in that particular area of West Dunbartonshire.
The first call was in January and concerned drainage on a private estate which was not Scottish Water’s responsibility.
The second call was regarding a possible spill during a storm event.
There was no visible sign of pollution around their Combined Sewer Outflow (CSO), just some minor sewer-related debris further downstream.
This was cleared up, and their assets were checked and found to be operating normally.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are currently investigating reports of a spill to the River Leven, near Dalreoch train station to ensure our infrastructure is working as it should. We take each and every report of a potential sewage spill extremely seriously and will always investigate thoroughly and take the appropriate action.
“Combined Sewer Outflows are a vital part of our network protecting customers and their homes and businesses from flooding during heavy rainfall.
“We have permission for sewers to overflow during extreme weather conditions through licences from our environmental regulators, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
“Any water that is released into rivers or the sea is unlikely to cause environmental damage as it is very dilute.
“We are continuing to invest many millions of pounds improving the capacity and resilience of our sewer network to reduce the risk of flooding and to protect the public by taking away waste water to be treated and returned safely to the environment.”
