An environmental wetland project has been completed in Cowdenbeath by Scottish Water.

The £8.7m project is located to the south of Cowdenbeath Golf Course. The new wetland aims to naturally treat storm waters from two separate overflow pipes and then pass the treated water into the Lochgelly Burn.

It also provides a habitat for birds, insects and amphibians.

The project involved constructing a specialised wetland and reed bed system that removes solids and forces oxygen into the waters, allowing it to reach a standard where it meets SEPA requirements for us to pass the flows into the Lochgelly burn. It is a sustainable, low-carbon answer to a complex waste water management issue. The wetland can also be altered to treat the water depending on the flow; for example, in high flow the complex aeration system is in operation, but otherwise remains off and saves energy.


The project was designed and delivered by reed bed specialists ARM Reed Beds (ARM), in partnership with Barhale Construction. In addition, pupils from Cowdenbeath Primary School won a competition to create a piece of art inspired by the wetland habitat.

Eddie Burns, Project Manager, Scottish Water, said: "The sewer overflows at two locations – the Cowdenbeath storm water works near Cowdenbeath Golf Course, and Selkirk Avenue – needed to be upgraded so they could continue to comply with modern environmental specifications.

"We are committed to finding the best solution for the local environment, and diverting the sewer overflows to a natural waste water treatment system proved to be the preferred option.

"Our solution is actually three separate projects. The first is to construct the wetland, another project to install a screen and a 1.2km transfer sewer from Selkirk Avenue. And finally we have upgraded the pumping stations and storm tanks near the wetland which previously transferred the storm waters."

He added: "The new system will provide sufficient treatment to allow storm waters to flow back into the Lochgelly Burn without compromising water quality. Another upside is that it also creates a wildlife habitat for birds as well as insects, newts and other amphibious organisms."

(JP/CD)