Scottish Water has reached a major milestone as over half of Perth’s upgraded ‘super sewer’ has been laid as the construction approaches a two-week pause over the Christmas period.

Photo: arial view of construction work on the new sewer on Tay St in Perth

The multi-million pound investment which got under way in Spring 2023 is aimed at increasing capacity within the sewer network to accommodate Perth’s projected growth, and reducing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas between the city centre and Muirton.

To date almost 280 metres of the 2.2 metre diameter lower-carbon pipework has been installed on Tay Street – between Canal Street and the railway bridge – and Shore Road, more than half of the 501 metres required.

The next phase of the 20-month project begins in January with the removal of one-way running lane which has been in operation for local access along Tay Street, from Marshall Place to Canal Street, to allow the construction of underground chambers, connecting the new ‘super sewer’ to the existing main sewer.

To enable this phase of the work to be completed safely and without impact on service to customers, a section of the operational sewer will be temporarily diverted via above-ground pipes.

Scottish Water’s Senior Project Manager, David Lavery, said:

“With the team from our delivery partner, Caledonia Water Alliance, we have been working at pace to progress the new pipework at Tay Street and Shore Road.

“As with any construction project on this scale we recognise that the work is disruptive, though essential in improving the capacity and resilience of the waste water network in Perth. This is crucial for the service we provide to current and future customers as the city continues to grow and the climate changes.”