A £1.6million Scottish Water plan is underway to tackle sewer flooding. 

The publicly owned utility is stepping in to prevent internal and external flooding in nearly a dozen properties in Cardross.

Increasing amounts of rainwater during extreme weather events has been overwhelming the local sewer network, also causing flooding in Geilston Park and nearby tennis courts as well.

The introduction of a new screened Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) is being built as a secure and practicable route to channel excess rainwater away from the sewer system.

The new CSO will be constructed under a small section of Geilston Park, redirecting storm rainwater into Geilston Burn during extreme weather.

Discharges will only happen when the now-increased sewer reaches capacity and will be screened. Less than one per cent of waste water is from toilets so it will not harm the environment.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter:

Steven Greenhill, team manager at Scottish Water Alliance, said: "This is a hugely important project for Cardross and the local community.

"We have explored a range of options, and this is the best available to safely reduce the risk of properties being flooded during storm conditions.

“CSOs are designed to prevent the sewer from backing up into homes during periods of extreme weather and are critical components when it comes to managing flows during peak rainfall.

"This is a significant investment that will dramatically reduce the risk of sewer flooding for the community in Cardross.

"Scottish Water is investing record levels – nearly a billion pounds a year – on improving its infrastructure to help meet increased demand and address the impact of climate change."

The project is being delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.