In Scotland, homeowners say every rain sends raw sewage toward their homes, and relief is years away

Residents in Leven, Scotland, have been dealing with raw sewage flooding into their homes for more than 20 years and may still be years away from a solution.

Here's what to know

According to STV News, Scottish Water is still designing a multi-million-pound improvement project for the area, and the utility does not expect to discuss a project schedule with local customers until early 2027. The work is part of a priority group of flooding investments in its 2027-2033 business plan.

Leven residents said the flooding is an ongoing problem tied to rainfall. After living in the area for more than two decades, Elaine Mitchell told STV News that she still has to worry that rainfall will send raw sewage down her driveway toward her house.

"It's washed down toilet paper, we've got human excrement, it's just horrible," she explained.

Wendy Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrat member of Parliament for North East Fife, said, "To be living in a property where you are regularly having to put bleach down in your garden while you look at waste products and sewage, is a pretty disgusting and unacceptable place to be." 

More background

Accounts from Leven residents described both the smell and the experience of coming into contact with the water. STV News reported that people called the odor "putrid," while one resident said walking through the murky water left them feeling "contaminated."

Residents noted that the flooding disrupts daily life, from using outdoor space to getting rest indoors. Another woman told STV News that when she goes to bed, she feels like she is "living in the sewage drain."

Scottish Water said it understands "how distressing sewer flooding is" and acknowledged the "significant impact it can have on homes, property, and people's wellbeing."

The company sympathized, adding that residents and stakeholders "have found it frustrating that timescales have elongated as planning and investment decisions have been worked through," which helps explain why households have spent decades coping with sewage around their homes.

What's being done?

As an interim step, Scottish Water said it has provided flood prevention barriers for affected homes. However, residents say the barriers do not solve the underlying issue, especially after years of sewage contaminating their properties.

Although the improvement project is included in Scottish Water's 2027-2033 business plan, residents dealing with sewage flooding could still be waiting years just to get a clear schedule.

Chamberlain's involvement has increased pressure on the utility over how long customers are expected to live with failing wastewater infrastructure.

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