Goals achieved this week:

1. Scottish Water has hired a contractor to clear up sewage debris downstream of East Calder Wastewater Treatment Works in Almondell and Calderwood Country Park today (20/03/21).

2. Support from West Lothian Council for residents to report pollution (sewage, fly tipping and diffuse i.e. petrol/diesel) incidents. For clarity, these incidents should be reported to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency SEPA also as SEPA are required to note and record these pollution events. 

3. Visited East Calder WwTW and discussed the issues with Veolia. Veolia's view is that they are meeting regulations and don't receive additional funding to go above and beyond this. They are maintaing the plant and do make investments. They are planning an educational outreach initiative. We have offered our support to work constructively with them on this.

4. Several journalists have been in touch and the story may be featured in some weekend papers.

5. These are good initial steps in the right direction, but nothing will change without the support of politicians. Therefore, we have set up a meeting with MSP Angela Constance and MP Hannah Bardell next week.

Have a good weekend all and please take part in our photograph competition if you're in and around the River Almond this weekend!

Many thanks, 

River Almond Action Group