THE Scottish Greens have pledged to clean up Scotland’s rivers and lochs with new Holyrood legislation.

An estimated 30 billion litres of raw sewerage was dumped into Scotland’s watercourses in 2024, with just one third of the 4,083 sewer overflows being monitored at all, according to the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland charity.

The Scottish Greens hope to change that with a new Clean Water Bill requiring all overflows to be monitored, setting tougher controls on the use of chemicals near waterways, and putting in place statutory responsibilities for action when pollution is recorded.

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “Our Clean Water Bill will put polluters on notice. 

“It will finally bring in proper monitoring of sewage overflows, and tougher enforcement with real consequences when the rules are broken. 

“When our rivers, lochs and beaches are being polluted, people have a right to know, and those responsible must be forced to clean up their mess.

“Healthy rivers and lochs are vital for nature, flood protection, our climate and people’s wellbeing. They must be protected for everyone, not sacrificed for private profit or weak regulation.”