Scottish Water on track to deliver a major £140 million investment in the biggest overhaul of Perth’s water and drainage infrastructure in a generation.
The major package of investment spans development areas north and west of the city; the recently completed ‘super sewer’; and a major upgrade to the city’s Waste Water Treatment Works.
The work will support Perth’s rapid growth and improve its resilience to climate change and provides the capacity needed to serve new homes and businesses, equivalent to a 40% increase in the city’s population, while also reducing the risk of sewers being overwhelmed during intense rainfall.
A massive boost to Perth’s economy
Scottish Water Chief Executive Alex Plant said:
“This project is a massive boost to Perth’s growing economy. We’re delivering the biggest upgrade to the City’s water infrastructure for a generation, ensuring that the city can continue to grow and flourish, even in the face of the real challenges that more extreme weather brings.
“Partnership work in this case unlocked the opportunity to support the city’s growth and reduce flood risk at the same time. Long-term investment like this is essential to meet the long-term challenges of more extreme weather, population change and renewing infrastructure, but we know that engineering alone won’t be enough. We need to work more closely than ever before with our partners and with our customers to recognise Scotland’s water as a precious resource and take care of it.”
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin, joined Scottish Water Chief Executive, Alex Plant, in Tay Street to see first-hand the extent of the works.
Over a two-year period, Scottish Water worked to excavate and install a 2.2 metre diameter pipeline, beneath Tay Street and Shore Road, to reinforce the spine of the city’s sewer system. The major engineering project involved extensive utility diversions, temporary alterations to the city centre’s road network, pumping of the city’s main sewer through temporary pipework above ground and deep excavation in the challenging conditions alongside the River Tay.
Work in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council was instrumental in the design of the scheme, throughout its delivery and in the full reinstatement of the affected roads at completion.
Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin commented:
“Extreme weather is becoming more common as a result of climate change, with more heavy rainfall and flooding events taking place across the country.
“This super sewer in Perth, is a great example of evidence-led investment by Scottish Water to addresses known flood risks making the local community more resilient to the impacts of climate change whilst also preparing for the growing number of people living in the local area.
“I have also been impressed by the way our publicly owned Scottish Water have engaged with the local community taking care to inform them of progress and take account of their needs during the delivery of this vital investment.”
Further investment planned for Perth
Elsewhere in the city, in addition to the super sewer, over 6km of new strategic sewer has been installed to drain growing communities to the west of the city bypass. A 6 million litre drinking water storage tank has been built on high ground above Bertha Park; and over 9 km of new strategic water mains have been laid. A £61.5 million upgrade to Perth Waste Water Treatment Works is also currently underway and expected to be complete by early 2027.
Scottish Water’s economic impact
Recent work by independent economists found that Scottish Water’s activity contributes almost £4.5 billion of value to Scotland’s economy every year. For every £1 invested, around £3 of value is created through jobs with Scottish Water and its supply chain. Investment in major infrastructure upgrades like Perth also has a critical enabling role, supporting the provision of much-needed new homes and helping to reduce the risk of flooding in intense rainstorms.
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