Work is set to commence next month on a significant £3 million project aimed at preventing rags, wet wipes, and other sewer-related debris from entering Edinburgh's Water of Leith.

Starting Sunday, 8 June 2025, Scottish Water will begin upgrading a storm overflow on the A8 Corstorphine Road in Murrayfield, designed to protect local homes and businesses from flooding.

Senior Project Manager Ethan Gillies Denning explained the necessity of the upgrade: "Sewer related debris in the Water of Leith has been a recurring problem after spells of heavy rain. The outfall is designed to divert excess rainwater into the watercourse, but unfortunately it isn't screened. While less than one per cent of the waste water comes from toilets, if people have flushed wipes or plastic items, they can end up in the natural environment which is a real problem. This project will help to prevent anything larger than 6mm making it out of the sewer network and into the river."


To facilitate the installation of new screens and spill chambers to the existing outfall, which is located beneath the road surface, the A8 Corstorphine Road will be reduced to one lane under two-way traffic lights between Ormidale Terrace and Murrayfield Gardens. This traffic management is expected to be in place for approximately six months.

This project forms part of Scottish Water's 'Improving Urban Waters' programme, a £500 million investment package focused on enhancing water quality through increased monitoring, reporting, and targeted infrastructure projects. The programme aims to significantly reduce sewer-related debris and spills.

Working in close collaboration with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement. Under the initiative branded 'Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment', more than 70 improvements are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2027, benefiting watercourses across Scotland. Further projects are currently in the design phase for implementation beyond 2027.

The infrastructure programme is being carried out by Caledonia Water Alliance, Scottish Water's alliance partner.