Esk River Improvement Group Meeting Minutes of Meeting – 10am, Monday 15th May 2023, Microsoft Teams22/7/2023 Attendance: Douglas Lyons, Colin Beattie MSP, Jenny Gray, Moira Cartwright (Midlothian Council), Steven Boon (Scottish Water), Scott Fraser (Scottish Water), Ann Stewart-Kmicha (Dalkeith & District Community Council), Claire Tochel (Fisherrow Harbour & Seafront Association), Rachael Langfield (Coal Authority), Ross Hughes (Forth Rivers Trust), Rebecca Lewis (Riverfly on the Esk/Buglife), Paul Butler (SEPA), Katrina Wilson (SEPA), Peter Finnie (SEPA), Rob Mitchell (SEPA), Joy Godfrey (ENCC), Conor Price (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Rachel Warrington (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Caroline Freeman (Newbattle Abbey College), John Crofts (Esk Valley Trust), Rachael Elliott (Nature Scotland), Joy Godfrey (ENCC)
Apologies: David Ogilvie (SEPA), Anne Hyatt (Roslin and Bilston Community Council), Philip Duncan (Musselburgh Racecourse), Shona Grant (East Lothian Council) Welcome CB welcomed everyone to the meeting and the previous minutes were approved. 1. Riverfly on the Esk/Buglife - Rebecca Lewis (RLe)RLe provided an update to the group.
RLe answered that they have a Facebook and Twitter account and are working on Instagram RLe asked Scottish Water if they could receive notification of when planned water release from reservoirs are taking place. SF offered to check this and come back. ASK added that the community council previously had notice of when water was to be released. RC commented that he is delighted to be working with Riverfly and that offered his guidance on geomorphology if required. 2. Midlothian Council - Moira Cartwright MC Referencing the high water in Lasswade over the new year period, committed to provide an update to ERIG on Midlothian Council’s progress in identifying a resource to undertake a flood risk assessment in Lasswade (target area 202) in the financial year 2023/24. Midlothian Council are engaging with consultants in relation to their duties in terms of flood risk management in Midlothian. CB asked if Midlothian Council have other areas in Midlothian that have the potential to be at risk from flooding. MC will seek answers to this question within Planning and feedback to ERIG. ASK remarked that flood risk areas would be within the Midlothian Local Development Plan that will be being produced as a result of the NPF4. 3. Scottish Water – Steven Boon and Scott FraserSB updates
CT asked if there will be public information about the Esk Pumping station works. SB explained that he will ensure that public information on their website is updated. CT asked if following the comment that there has been a slight improvement at Eastfield Pumping Station performance if there will be any update on the impact on the bathing water quality in that area, or shall she request a FOI for this information. SB explained a request for a FOI would be the best way and that they will respond to this. JG asked if bathing season should be a longer season. SB stated the bathing season has not changed. PF added that the bathing season is June to September, and it would be up to the Scottish Government if they wanted to extend the bathing season and instruct all involved that this has changed. SF provided an update on waste water operations and sewer overflows following media coverage.
CB asked why south of the border they are following a different policy. SF answered that perhaps they will now know more about their network and will be able to invest based on that data. Scottish Water works with the regulators and others and invests based on what information we have on the water environment to decide on where we want to prioritise. SF offered to send information on where the new 1000 monitors are in the network. PF added that it is difficult to compare Scotland and the rest of the UK. In Scotland we have a public company that works close with the Scottish Government and SEPA on the investment program. Stating that it is a clearer picture here and the ecological status of waters in Scotland is superior than England and Wales by a significant margin. In England and Wales they have individual water companies over geographical areas so the picture is less clear than it is in Scotland. 4. Forth Rivers Trust – Ross Hughes RH provided an update to the ERIG
RH explained that none of our results showed a concern, therefore none were reported. If there was concerns, we would have reported them at the time of the survey. Adding that this could change over time and they would like to re-survey after a certain period of time has passed. 5. Coal Authority - Rachael Langfield (RL) RL provided an update to the ERIG on the Dalkeith Water Treatment Plant.
CB asked about the disposal of the waste products from the process and if there was any update regarding his concerns that it might end up in landfill. RL answered that they have recently signed a contract to sell some of the waste, the ochre from the anaerobic digestion for use in sewage treatment plants. Adding that the Coal Authority has a target that 95% of the waste is reused. ASK added her thanks about the work that was done regarding communication with the local communities and regarding the visit that was taken to the mine water treatment plant. Asked RL if she could provide an update on the Manganese from the geo-chemists at the Coal Authority. RL advised, once the plant is up and running, we will have a better understanding on what treatment of the manganese might be required. RE asked if there is an estimated or targeted date for the scheme to be operational? RL replied that if the tender goes to plan, they could be onsite by the end of this financial year. 6. SEPA – Peter Finnie and Rob Mitchell PF provided an update on the water scarcity information that has been circulated to MSPs and MPs.
CT asked if Ruth Stidson from SEPA will be following up with community meetings, relating to follow up questions she has from the Fisherrow briefing from August 2022, adding that they were told previously to take these questions back to Ruth Stidson to ask for the community meeting, and she has had no response to this request. CT asked if anyone can make contact with Ruth and if there is somewhere she can send the questions. PF answered that he has previously communicated that he had spoken to Ruth and that they were actively considering the future community meetings, but this is predicated on providing information to the Minister and consideration for a number of bathing waters for redesignation. Depending on the ministerial decision on redesignation of Fisherrow, there may not be value in further meetings if it is back to normal bathing water designation. Adding if CT sends the questions to him, he will make sure they are addressed. RM updated on the Esk barriers project regarding the removal of fish barriers and dams that impede the migration of fish to upstream habitats.
RC asked if Goose Green and Inveresk Weir in Musselburgh are considered in this project RM added that there is clear evidence that fish can pass these weirs, so they are not considered eligible for the fund. CP confirmed that there are functioning elements to these weirs and so that also makes them not eligible for the fund. Confirming that the weirs will be within the MFPS Outline Design Public Exhibition in June. ASK raised that there had been local discussions about another bridge and also suggestions of a small hydro plant at Ironmills Weir and if SEPA had made contact with people regarding this. RM replied that he did not know of plans for a bridge and would come back to ASK regarding this and that he is in discussion with owners of Ironmills Weir and he has had no discussions about a hydro scheme with them. RH added that the left hand bank of the top of the structure at Ironmils appeared to be deteriorating. RM agreed that degradation at each weir had occurred, but there is a low risk of that weir collapsing completely. 7. Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme – Conor Price CP provided an update on the MFPS
CP gave an insight to a site visit to the Scottish Governments Natural Flood Management project at Eddleston. Jacobs, as design consultants are writing up a Technical Note to summarise their understanding of what was heard that day, this will be circulated to ERIG. But first Dundee University are completing an overview of the Technical Note. CP stated that he will give a full summary at the next meeting as he only has initial findings at this point. RC made a number of statements relating to the Eddleston meeting and the MFPS project
CP made a statement on behalf of East Lothian Council that East Lothian Council have already stated in print in the East Lothian Courier that it considers that the petition contains misinformation and mis direction and that there is currently a legal case pending. Therefore, CP is not going to comment any further on the petition. 8. AOB None Meeting ends 1130am
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Esk River Improvement Group Meeting Minutes – 10am, Monday 6th March 2023, Microsoft Teams26/5/2023 Esk River Improvement Group Meeting
Minutes of Meeting – 10am, Monday 6th March 2023, Microsoft Teams Attendance: Douglas Lyons, Colin Beattie MSP, Jenny Gray, Moira Cartwright (Midlothian Council), Shona Grant (East Lothian Council), Ann Stewart-Kmicha (Dalkeith & District Community Council), Pauline Crerar (Fisherrow Harbour & Seafront Association), Rachael Langfield (Coal Authority), Ross Hughes (Forth Rivers Trust), Rebecca Lewis (Riverfly on the Esk/Buglife), Chris Gall (SEPA), Paul Butler (SEPA), Katrina Wilson (SEPA), Joy Godfrey (ENCC), Conor Price (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Rachel Warrington (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Caroline Freeman (Newbattle Abbey College), John Oldham (Esk Valley Trust), Philip Duncan (Musselburgh Racecourse), Rachael Elliott (Nature Scotland) Apologies: Steven Boon (Scottish Water), Scott Fraser (Scottish Water), Audrey Murray (EnjoyLeisure), Peter Finnie (SEPA), David Ogilvie (SEPA), Anne Hyatt (Roslin and Bilston Community Council) Welcome CB welcomed everyone to the meeting and the previous minutes were approved.
ASK added if they could have a short summary of the main points that have been raised over the last 4 years during the monitoring. To encourage more people, who don’t have the ecological background. RLe answered that Citizen Science is about collecting baseline data and community engagement. As part of the funding requirements there is a full written report on water testing that they are currently working on and are more than willing to share this once completed. Adding further that all of the data is available on the Riverfly Partnership website. 2. Scottish Water – (Scottish Water were unable to attend, so they provided the following summary) Operational update
Nature Calls campaign
Nature Calls campaign results
3. Forth Rivers Trust – Ross HughesRH provided an update to the ERIG
4. Coal Authority - Rachael Langfield (RL) RL provided an update to the ERIG on the Dalkeith Water Treatment Plant.
CB asked when will the decision to approve the project will be taken. RL it is a two-step process. The first step is to the assurance board explaining the cost increases and the need to go out to tender again. This will give the approval to go out to tender and then they will go back in July for final approval with the actual cost and what company they are going to go with. JG asked if the manganese will be fully treated at some point and if not what will be the impact on the river. RL it is a two-step process. The treatment of the iron impacts the manganese levels. Until the iron treatment is up and running, we don’t know what level of treatment of Manganese will be needed. If it is required, there will be room in the building for this additional treatment plant. JG asked if BEIS will welcome a second application for funding to treat the Manganese if necessary? RL answered, as far as she is aware, yes, if that is what is needed from a point of view of water quality. ASK added that the community appreciate the communication that was received in January, but they are worried about further slippage from a quarterly communication and hope that there is further communication soon. RL added that they are doing communications on a quarterly basis and there will be a further communication once they have been to BEIS for approval. ASK Added that there is concern about the non-treatment of manganese and what will be the impact of this on the River South Esk. RL offered to have a discussion with geo-chemists and will send something that can be circulated. PC stated that there are further leaks up river (at Elgin Haugh) and asked if the treatment plant will pull out the mine water and potentially reduce the outfall elsewhere. RL confirmed that this is the case. PB Added that flow coming out of Elgin Haugh has not changed. Explaining that it is very complex with the Manganese. SEPA are happy that it is a two-stage process. The iron is having the largest impact on the river and we don’t know the level of manganese to be treated until the iron has been treated. 5. SEPA – Chris Gall CG no significant events to report. Reminded the group to report pollution incidents when they see them. CB asked about the progress on the pollution incident in Musselburgh. KW replied that the investigation is still ongoing, so they cannot give any further information. As soon as it is at an end point they will be able to provide information. ASK enquired if CG knew anything about a strong odour that was coming from a sewage pumping station at Fisherrow Links park, commenting further that locals say that this is quite common. CG advised that ASK contacts Scottish Water directly on this matter. PC asked if there was any progress on when the community meetings on bathing waters with SEPA will be reinstated. CG suggested the PC contacts Ruth Stidson directly. 6. East Lothian Council - Shona Grant SG provided an update that the monitoring and data gathering at Fisherrow from the discharge at the former Newhailles landfill is still ongoing. The contaminated land officer at ELC is currently drafting his report. It was explained that there are discussions about what standards they are looking at in relation to the reporting. SG commented that they may have to contact NHS Public Health on this. SG asked if CB had already contacted Richard Othieno at NHS Lothian Public Health. DL commented he was in touch with Richard Othieno in October, but despite an initial contact he had not been back in touch. DL suggested that he makes an introduction to SG at ELC to Richard Othieno on this matter. DL asked if ELC had anything that they could provide Richard Othieno with regard to the monitoring plan to introduce him to the issue. SG added that Scott Callow could add more detail to the monitoring that he has undertaken. CB added that this has been going on for some time and his concern is if there is any hazard to public health and the need for NHS Lothian to get involved so we know that this is safe. SG emphasised the importance of data gathering at this stage and that SEPA were involved in modelling the impact of the outfall discharge. SG will get in touch with Richard Othieno and have a conversation about this. 7. Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme – Conor Price Updated the group with use of a PowerPoint presentation. To be included as the record for the purpose of the minutes. 8. Midlothian Council - Moira Cartwright MC updated the group with regard to the flood risk assessment. Referencing the high water in Lasswade over the new year period, Midlothian Council is identifying a resource for a flood risk assessment in the next financial year and a further update will be provided. In relation to the Environmental Crime Strategy, the wardens contract has been finalised and should be mobilised around the Easter period. CB explained that that there was concern among the residents in Lasswade following being very close to a serious flood incident in December. CB emphasised the need to have a priority in progressing the flood risk management plan, in particular around Lasswade. MC offered to pass this onto Derek Oliver. ASK added that she expected that flood risk would be within the Midlothian Local Development Plan that will be being produced as a result of the NPF4 and Local Place plans. CP added that he had picked up from SEPA the weather event at the end of December was a 1 in 10 event in Musselburgh. However, further up the river on the North Esk was of the region of a 1 in 25 year event. The water levels on the River South Esk were a lot lower in comparison, thus when the rivers joined, the weather event was not as significant further downstream. 9. AOB None Meeting ends 11:15 Esk River Improvement Group Meeting Minutes – 10am, Monday 9th January 2023, Microsoft Teams7/4/2023 Esk River Improvement Group Meeting
Minutes of Meeting – 10am, Monday 9th January 2023, Microsoft Teams Attendance: Douglas Lyons, Colin Beattie MSP, Jenny Gray, Moira Cartwright (Midlothian Council), Nick Aitken (East Lothian Council), Ann Stewart-Kmicha (Dalkeith & District Community Council), Anne Hyatt (Roslin and Bilston Community Council), Steven Boon (Scottish Water), Scott Fraser (Scottish Water), Claire Tochel (Fisherrow Harbour & Seafront Association), Pauline Crerar (Fisherrow Harbour & Seafront Association), Rachael Langfield (Coal Authority), Ross Hughes (Forth Rivers Trust), Rebecca Lewis (Riverfly on the Esk/Buglife), Chris Gall (SEPA), Peter Finnie (SEPA), Paul Butler (SEPA), Joy Godfrey (ENCC), Conor Price (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Rachel Warrington (Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme), Caroline Freeman (Newbattle Abbey College) Apologies Shona Grant (East Lothian Council), Audrey Murray (EnjoyLeisure), Philip Duncan (Musselburgh Racecourse) David Ogilvie (SEPA) Welcome CB welcomed everyone to the meeting and the previous minutes were approved. 1. Scottish Water – Steven Boon and Scott Fraser CB asked about the flooding at Lasswade and the mains burst at Bonnyrigg/Rosewell. SF reported that on 1 January there was a burst 12-inch water main on Carnethie Street, Rosewell, approximately 1000 properties experienced no water or water discolouration. Tankers were brought in to supply water to the network. All supplies restored by 5pm on 1 January. SF detailed the challenges Scottish Water faced from the sub-zero weather in December 2022. This had a severe impact on many assets. Very cold conditions led to a very challenging environment for working on frozen service pipes. The rapid thaw then had a major impact on the water network across the whole country. This impact was seen on both the public supply and the private supply (within homes and businesses). Treatment works were then coping with a massive increase in supply due to leaks and burst pipes. Field operations and customer services were extremely busy. Then this was followed on by flooding from heavy rain at the end of December. SB described what happened to the wastewater treatment works during the extreme weather. The deep freeze slowed down the flow of water through the filter beds, slowing or stopping a lot of the bacterial treatment, inhibiting treatment of wastewater. Then the thaw caused further difficulty. The dead bugs that died during the freeze caused issues with the waste treatment and then there was increases in flows from the thaw. Further, this was made worse by the heavy rain that followed. And the treatment works then experienced significant flooding. In the Esk the CSO’s would have been operating. Due to the scale of the flows, some CSO’s were broken, the screens bent or the motors became flooded. Scottish Water have contractors mobilised to recover treatment works and CSO’s. SB was on site at Lord Ancrum Woods and reported that the site looks quite good. SB commented that the assets had performed well during the severe weather and that they are currently in a place where they are recovering the assets that were impacted by the weather. RLe asked which treatment plants were impacted along the Esk SB replied that there are not many wastewater treatment assets along the Esk. SB added that it was not a particular problem in this area and no assets entered into a failing situation. SF noted that Scottish Water have been impacted by weather more often than normal. The whole industry is having to adapt to how they cope with the impact of extreme weather. CB added that we are seeing the results of climate change and it will be a big adjustment for the utilities as to how they adapt to that. CB asked about the Lasswade flooding on 30 December 2022. SF offered to come back to the group on that. CB asked for an update on the Eastfield Pumping Station works. SB replied that there was no significant update from last meeting. Eastfield was not impacted by the recent high flows during the bad weather. Upgraded pipework and clean out plans will continue as before prior to bathing season. Other work will happen during bathing season. No exact date for the further work as yet, but SB will pass on this information once they have it. ASK thanked SB for circulating the CSO maps. 2. Forth Rivers Trust – Ross Hughes RH updated the group that their ‘Outfall Safari’ is coming to a conclusion. Volunteers have surveyed outfall sites from the river mouth to 15 km up the river Esk. On a preliminary review of results RH reports that he is not seeing any major issues with pipes, adding that volunteers are keen to do more surveys in the future. RH added that they are shortly looking to do more community presentations RH reports that they are trying to organise a visit in March to a mine water treatment facility, run by The Coal Authority. RH adds that he would be aiming to send out an invitation to ERIG members to join this site visit. CB asked what they plan to do with the data when the survey of the outfall pipes is complete. CB emphasised that it is important, due to the effort that has been made, that the gathered information should be of use to a number of organisations. Adding that we should have a think where the best place is to hold the data so that everyone gets a chance to view the results. RH answered that they will make that data publicly available. They have similar data on projects on other rivers on their website. RH added if people are interested in any particular aspects of the survey, then please get in touch with him. CB added that when the work is complete, he could also post the data on his website. CG emphasised that if anything is found during the survey (contamination or sewage), to report this to SEPA and they can attend to that. Adding that it will be good to see the whole body of the work and what they can take form it. 3. Riverfly on the Esk/Buglife - Rebecca Lewis (RLe) RLe provided an update to the group.
4. Coal Authority - Rachael Langfield (RL) RL provided an update to the ERIG on the Dalkeith Water Treatment Plant.
CB asked if a Letter of Support from Community Councils would be still helpful. RL added that it is up to The Coal Authority to give BEIS an accurate business case and that all support is gratefully received. ASK added that the community is feeling neglected as it is over a year since communication has been received by residents. ASK commented that there should be some heat energy available from the mine water discharge in Dalkeith. ASK referred to research by Strathclyde and Glasgow University about heat potential from this mine water discharge and also that The Coal Authority is co-hosting a conference with the British Geological Society on mine water energy. ASK asked for some information about this. ASK added that she has seen no information about people have gaining unauthorised access to number 41. RL explained that the mine water heat recovery has been considered and it cannot be considered due to the footprint of the site and that this is the best location for the treatment works. Added that there are ongoing conversations looking at other sites in that area. RL will pass on her comments to the Innovation Team. RL explained that in the meantime the mine water still needs treated and The Coal Authority has to deal with the discharges. RL added that that she has a request in to deal with the phone numbers that were provided on signage that was moved in a previous meeting. CB commented that he would not want anything to happen that delayed the current application that is being progressed adding that the current pollution has a huge impact on the River Esk. PB added that mine water heat is something that is being progressed passionately by the Coal Authority and others. Commenting that he is sure that it will play a future role in Dalkeith and across Scotland, but he would not want to see the water treatment scheme being held up, which is the key issue. JG added that she will take it to the ENCC suggesting that they send a Letter of Support that BEIS fully fund the project. CB added that letters would lend more weight if letters came from community groups rather than individuals and they can be used in the Business Case of The Coal Authority. RL confirmed that she will feedback to DL the appropriate people who she thinks who the Letter of Support should be sent to and then he will share this information with the community groups. ASK added that she is also waiting on information about what to include in a Letter of Support and who to send it to. 5. SEPA – Chris Gall CG provided an update on the fish barrier work on the river Esk. Successful integrity surveys took place at the end of December on all three weirs (Montague Bridge and Ironmills on the North Esk. Dalkeith Weir on South Esk). The result of this work is expected in early February at which point results will be analysed and shared with landowners and used to inform the next stage of the process. Preparation and the concept design contracts will run through Summer 2023. CT asked if the community meetings with SEPA will be reinstated. PF Confirmed that he has discussed with Ruth Stidson and that he will get back within the next couple of weeks what the progress will be on the Fisherrow community meetings. With regard to the ongoing pollution investigation in Musselburgh, CG confirmed that it is still an active investigation, so no further update. But he assured the group that work was ongoing on the incident. ASK highlighted concerns about damage from the high rainfall to the Ironmills and Newmills weirs and if that the survey was done before or after the heavy rainfall. CG added that he would feed this back to the group that managed the survey work. RLe wondered if there are any planned works to clear debris from the weir and viaduct. CP added that it is the responsibility of the owner of the weir (for clearing a blockage). But if it was to become a matter of public health it the local council may take a degree of responsibility. 6. East Lothian Council - Shona Grant No update 7. Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme – Conor Price Updated the group with use of a PowerPoint presentation. To be included as the record for the purpose of the minutes. CP’s presentation updated ERIG on the MFPS, the weather event on 30 December 2022 and Invasive Species Steering Group. 8. Midlothian Council - Moira Cartwright MC informs that the Environmental Crime Scheme is with their legal team and she is hopeful that there will be something forthcoming for the next meeting. CB asked about the Lasswade flood. MC was unaware of the issues. CB mentioned that there were previous discussions with Midlothian Council (Derek Oliver) about Midlothian Council putting together some flood risk analysis. MC will take that away as an action to find out more and will get back to the group. ASK highlighted Twitter footage that shows the high-water levels at Lasswade. 9. AOB None Meeting ends 1115am Esk River Improvement Group Meeting Minutes – 10am, Monday 9th January 2023, Microsoft Teams6/4/2023 7. Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme – Conor Price
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