Pittenweem Sewer Flooding Investment
Project Overview
We are currently developing plans to improve the sewer network in Pittenween to help prevent sewer flooding and protect the local environment.
We are investing in and upgrading the sewer network by installing new pipework, chambers and screens at storm overflows.
At A Glance
- Sewer Flooding Alleviation
- Proposed Start Date: January 2024
- Duration: Circa 2 years
Latest Update - Nov 23
- Our site investigation works were successfully carried out in August and the finding from these will go on to inform the final designs of the main works
- While we continue to finalise our construction programme, we now expect the main works to start in January 2024. We continue to liaise with the local council on these plans

Pittenweem
We are investing in Pittenweem's sewer network
What We Are Doing
- We are looking to address flooding in 3 main areas of Pittenweem –The West Shore, East Shore and Seaview Row.
- Construction is due to start January 2024 at East Shore but there are elements of the project that are still being developed.
- There will be disruption during the construction of these upgrades, with road traffic management and construction noise. We will work with the community to minimise this as much as possible.
- We will continue to engage with the community on what is being proposed.
East Shore
- Work is due to start on the East Shore in January 2024
- Upgraded, screened CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) and new outfall within East Harbour to MLWS (Mean Low Water Springs). This will mean that the existing overflow is removed from the inner harbour and taken to MLWS
- Upgrade power supply to existing waste water pumping station
- There will be construction work taking place within the area of the Harbour car park
West Shore
- Upgrading and installation of new screening to the existing CSO
- A new long sea outfall to Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS)
- Following discussions with community and committing to minimize the visual impact of the outfall as much as possible, we are able to construct the new outfall so it is fully buried underground.
West Pittenweem - surface water separation
There is known flooding issues in the Western area of Pittenweem. Following updated modelling and solution development, we are currently considering the options, including that of surface water removal. We will continue to liaise with stakeholders with regard to these plans.
Timescales
Construction work is due to start on East Shore in January 2024. The ideal is we are able to approach working in the community in the different locations in a coordinated way so that we don’t have to completely stop at any one time, but also don’t carry out work in the harbour and beach areas during summer time when the village has higher number of visitors.
The sequencing of each of the phases of the work will consider minimising disruption, whilst managing construction practicalities and cost. All dates will be subject to change, for example - limited access, vehicle size and movement constraints and tide movements will heavily constrain work at West shore so this phase will likely be slowest to progress once on site.
We will update the community regularly as work progresses.
Pittenweem Information Event Posters
Thank you to all who attended. All the posters that were on display at our information event can be downloaded below. Please be aware that some of the information will now be incorrect due to the scheduling changes to the programme.
Download PostersWhy We Are Doing It
Historically, the area has been prone to sewer flooding during times of heavy rainfall.
This significant investment will address internal sewer flooding and the distress and upset it causes.
Once complete, the increased capacity in the new infrastructure will help reduce the risk of sewer flooding in the area and make a real difference to the households who have been affected in the past.
CSOs are an important mechanism which releases pressure on the network from rain using overflows to rivers and the sea. When there are overflows from a rainstorm, less than 1% of this is sewage from toilets. The screening of these CSOs prevents items which are wrongly flushed down the toilet – such as baby wipes, sanitary items, cotton buds, etc. from ending up on our beaches.