Scottish Water has announced that a new multi-million-pound, multi-project package of investment to alleviate sewer flooding in Stewarton, East Ayrshire is set to begin.

From Monday 26 August 2024 the publicly owned utility will be setting up a site compound in Barbours Park where a new screened Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) and giant underground storage tank are to be built.

Capable of holding nearly a million litres of water, storm flows will be redirected from overloaded sewers into the tank and stored until the weather subsides. The storm water will then be pumped back into the sewer network to flow to the waste water treatment works.

The new CSO will divert storm rainwater run-off during extreme weather. Discharges will only happen when the now-increased sewer reaches capacity and will be screened to protect the environment.

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At the same time, a new upgraded surface water sewer will be installed along the adjacent street – also called Barbours Park - which will take approximately eight weeks.

Barbours Park is the first of four projects that have been co-ordinated for delivery to make the best use of resources and minimise disruption for residents and road users.

Work to install the new CSO and storage tank in Barbours Park will begin in October 2024 and take approximately two years. Within the same timeframe Scottish Water will also deliver:

• David Dale (Kirk Glebe) – A new CSO and outfall Jan 2025

• High Street – A new CSO and associated pipework Feb 2025

• Kirkford Bridge – Replace an emergency overflow and pipework July 2025

Lucy Broadie, Flooding Manager at Scottish Water said: "These projects represent a significant investment, around £12million, towards addressing historic sewer flooding in the town.

"By taking an integrated approach and co-ordinating resources we are aiming to deliver these major projects with as little impact on the community as possible."

The investment is part of Scottish Water's £500million Improving Urban Waters Routemap to transform waste water systems to deliver environmental benefits.

Lucy Broadie added: "We are investing record amounts – over £2.5billion in the past 10 years – to address the challenges of ageing infrastructure and climate change. "Working together with customers, stakeholders and communities we can meet these challenges head-on and make a real difference."