£9.8million investment to improve River Eden

What we're doing

We are bringing a cleaner environment and enhanced water quality to the River Eden by refurbishing or upgrading four waste water treatment works nearby as part of our £62million investment programme across Fife.

Amount invested

£9.8million

Partners

These projects are being managed by Scottish Water Solutions.

The work at Bowhouse, Guardbridge and Cupar will be undertaken by Black & Veatch

The Springfield upgrade will be conducted by Barhale.

Area Affected

The Eden flows from Burnside, near the border with Perth & Kinross, across the Howe of Fife, through Cupar to Guardbridge, where it enters the North Sea via the Eden Estuary, a conservation area for wading birds and a nature reserve.

The upgrades start at Bowhouse, situated in the wide, flat, agricultural area of the Howe of Fife. The next upgrades are at Springfield and Cupar in the middle reaches of the river. The final site is Guardbridge at the tidal reaches of the Eden estuary where it meets the North Sea in St Andrews Bay.

We're working with...

The Eden Angling Association says that the increase in water quality will have a beneficial effect on fishing in the area. Ian Young, Secretary of the Eden Angling Association, said:

“Our association welcomes this major investment by Scottish Water. We have been providing trout and salmon fishing to the public for nearly one hundred years. The Eden Angling Association is concerned not only with the excellent fishing the Eden provides, but also the conservation of the wide variety of wildlife that depend on the river for their habitat.

“Without clean water, the ecosystem of the river would be in jeopardy. We are sure this investment will enhance the quality of the water that is discharged into the Eden.”

Scottish Water is working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to ensure the environment is enhanced. 

Bowhouse waste water treatment works

In order to increase the waste water quality and ensure that the treatment facility continues to meet stringent environmental regulations set out by SEPA, £2.3million is being invested at the Bowhouse works.

The project will be delivered by Black & Veatch, who are installing a new tank and machinery at the works which serves 7,800 people from Auchtermuchty, Falkland, Ladybank, Giffordtown and Dunshalt.

Springfield waste water treatment works

£2.1million is planned to be spent on the facility at Springfield, which processes the village’s waste water and a large amount of agricultural and industrial effluent. The work includes new tanks for separation and settlement of waste and pumping technology that will keep filter beds wet in dry weather.

The upgrade is being carried out by Barhale and will enable the facility to meet SEPA’s environmental standards by adding a storm tank to store excess water in heavy rainfall. An odour improvement plan will also reduce odours from the site.

Cupar waste water treatment works

£3.2million is being invested in Cupar sewage treatment works, with the project being delivered by Black & Veatch. Enhanced screening and grit removal will improve waste water quality and an upgrade will allow 1,500 more properties to connect to the waste water network. A new sludge treatment centre at the works will process the by-product into fuel, fertiliser or soil improver.

Guardbridge waste water treatment works

£2.25million has been invested to improve the waste water provision for Guardbridge and neighbouring villages. The year-long programme is now nearing completion, and there are already noticeable improvements in the quality of water being discharged into the Eden.