BETTER water quality is needed for New Year’s Day “dookers,” the Scottish Greens have warned, as wild swimmers take part in the traditional annual dip today.

According to the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, more than 30 billion litres of raw sewage were discharged into Scotland’s waterways in 2024, with only around one third of the country’s 4,083 sewer overflows being monitored.

Green environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said the figures were “likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Today, to bring in the new year, hundreds of people across the country will brave the elements and head out for a dip at their local beach or loch,” he said. “But many of our waters are still far too polluted.”

Mr Ruskell said some sites officially rated as excellent had recorded unsafe levels of E coli and other bacteria.

“These New Year’s Day dookers — and anyone who enjoys Scotland’s seas and lochs — should be able to swim safely, without fear of illness or infection,” he said.

He called for greater monitoring of overflow sites, investment in sewage infrastructure and tougher action against polluters.