VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Please help us to clean up Marine Drive – western end, Edinburgh Foreshore for Keep Scotland Beautiful’s National Spring Clean, for more information click here.

Keep Scotland Beautiful is an operating name of Environmental Campaigns (Scotland).

Scottish Charity Number SCO30332.

Monday 19 April 2010 10:00am – 2:00pm, Meet at turning point at western end of Marine Drive For more information phone 0131 447 7145 or email countrysiderangers@edinburgh.gov.uk

Opening day.

On a very sleety and cold February (2010) afternoon, Mike, Fen and I went on a tour of East Calder Sewage Treatment Works to find out more about what is discharged into the River.

We were very warmly welcomed at the works by Veolia Regional Operations Manager, Simon Wigglesworth.  Simon gave us a guided tour of the works and explained how the mixed sewage surface and foul water sewage is treated, separated and processed before being discharged at the outfall into the River Almond.

The sewage, by the time it reaches the outfall, has gone on a complicated journey through endless routes of pipe-work into chamber after chamber – attacked by bacteria – grit, sludge, phosphorus, fat and water separated, ammonia removed -  finally passing through sand filters to leave the site cleaner than it went in.  In fact due to the type of contract Veolia have, the waste is cleaner than SEPA requires.

Whilst the weather was not pleasant, the amount of the rain demonstrated the problem when the capacity of 724 litres/second (2600 cubic metres /hr.) of incoming sewage is exceeded by a large amount of large of rainfall.  This excess passes through 6mm screens and is then held in storm water storage tanks to be treated later. Each tank holds in excess of 2000 cubic metres. The regular flow passes on to the full treatment plant, having solids (6mm screens) and grit removed at the inlet. The storm water storage tanks have a settling effect and sludge is collected and treated later in the process. The retention time in the tank allows solids to settle. Once the tanks are full the settled overflow passes to the River, which by the sheer nature of the heavy flow, should already be in flood, increasing the dilution. Not ideal, but we have to remember that without the plants’ treated water the River Almond could well be no more than a burn.

All recovered sludge is transported elsewhere for further treatment: grit and solids are sent to landfill.

So what did we learn:-

The site is well managed and has made a significant investment to improve the operation, £1.6m to be exact, increasing the plant capacity from 550 litres/second (2009) to 724 litres / second.

The vast majority of the water entering the River Almond has been thoroughly processed.  However an amount of untreated, screened and settled, effluent is discharged in heavy weather – but should be dilute and the river should be in flood due to the rain fall.

There are certain liquids and chemicals that the Works (which is there to treat sewerage) cannot get rid of effectively – anionic detergents (in washing and dishwasher powder), oil and grease (including cooking), paint etc.  Some things which go in the top end come out the bottom end.

So when considering the effect on the River Almond, the Works appear to be doing their duty to ensure that the outflow is as good a quality as possible.  We might want look at our own actions in respect of what we put into the sewer system to ensure we are doing as much as we can.

We didn’t catch any fish but did get a very welcome cup of coffee after our tour. 

Many thanks to Simon for his time and hospitality.

Alison Brooks

The Scottish Game & Angling Show 2010

6-7 March

Royal Highland Centre

Talks, Demostrations, Bargins and Fun – A Great Day Out

Entrance £5.00

Still no reports of fish, but I’d imagine that when the River drops of we should start to see the first of the 2010 Sea Trout appear.

Tight Lines

FFWL have arranged Saturday April 3rd as a date for the event and the target area is Almond Pool at Kirkton.  I hope that some of you will be able to attend and support our friends in West Lothian and we can start to make a difference on the river and improve the situation for all.   This should be an easy place to start and the Council will be able to provide a suitable collection point as well as the necessary tools for the job.

Please let Douglas know if you are available for this event as it will make organising things with the Council much easier.

One of our members has kindly donated 2 rods on the River Tummel (East Haugh Beat) on Tuesday 11th May 2010.  The beat is approx. 1.75 miles of double bank fishing, with an average of 25 fish caught for the month of May.  This is an excellent opportunity to fish the Tummel during its prime month.  In order to boast Club funds, the committee have decided upon a raffle.  To be included in the raffle, please send £10.00 per entry to the Club Treasurer before the 12th April 2010, the draw will take place at the April Committee Meeting on Wednesday 14th April and the winner will be notified ASAP.

For more information see http://www.fishtummel.co.uk

4 Boats available, 3 anglers per boat trolling for Salmon at £20.00 per angler

For more information see http://www.lochtay-vacations.co.uk/marina/fishing.htm

To book any of these outings or further information, then please contact Scott Henderson (Outing Secretary) on scott@fishcrosswood.co.uk or 07796 226667, bookings are on a first come first served basis and your place will be confirmed upon payment.  Cheques to be made payable to “Cramond Angling Club” and sent to Scott Henderson.  As usual presentations will take place at the 2010 Annual General Meeting.

My Fishing Log