River Almond Action Group.

River Almond Action Group was formed in 2020 from volunteers who are passionate about clean rivers to support all life. They raise awareness of sewage pollution and are working to hold the government accountable for the condition of water, pressing policymakers to fulfil their legal duty to protect our environment and the health of Scotland’s people and wildlife.

The group used its Eco Development Fund award to launch the Rain Catcher Project – a campaign based around distribution of water butts in West Lothian. “We used the fund to buy 55 water butts for distribution to community organisations and keen gardeners.”

“We aim to increase awareness, and thereby reduce the problem, of water pollution from waste water treatment works (WWTWs), particularly in the River Almond.”

Saving water at home can help reduce pressure on drains feeding into sewerage. Improving the public’s use of water butts in domestic and community gardens and public buildings can reduce the ‘storm surge’ of surface water overwhelming the WWTWs, by holding the water in tanks for later use by the gardener. It therefore helps the public to take a share of the responsibility for reducing sewage overflows.

RAAG staged an event in spring using its Eco Fund award to distribute water butts and speak to visitors. The fund had paid for 55 butts, and homes for the majority of them were found at the Butts Are Beautiful event at Five Sisters Zoo in April. Linlithgow allotments made use of the remaining 14 butts. 

Volunteers explained the benefits of using rainwater for garden plants and of how it is better than tap water for high maintenance lawns such as bowling greens. They also chatted with visitors about the wider work of the group, which was supported by WLCAN staff. 

RAAG’s next event, in partnership with SOS Leith and WLCAN, will be a conference for community groups in West Lothian and beyond – West Lothian Water Confluence on 28 September. Communities will learn about work being undertaken to tackle water quality and climate change responses in Scotland.