Scottish Campaigns

From the rugged Highlands to stunning coastlines, Scotland’s lochs, rivers and seas should be safe for everyone to enjoy. But decades of failed regulation mean our waters are being polluted by sewage, plastic waste, and the toxic chemicals they carry—a perfect storm that’s making water users sick and choking our most cherished wild places.

The truth about Scotland’s sewage scandal is still hidden. With 70% of overflows going unmonitored, we don’t know the full scale of the problem.

But we do know this: the new Scottish Government has the power to turn back the rising tide of pollution. With the Holyrood election results announced, we have newly elected representatives in Scotland ready to hear what their constituents want.

With missing water quality data, weak regulations, and the public being kept in the dark on the sewage scandal – we need to be louder than ever. Find out how you can use your voice to protect your local waterways here.

Take action for Scotland’s waters

Discover our manifesto for Scotland

We’ve worked with communities and organisations across Scotland to develop a manifesto that outlines what is needed to end sewage and plastic pollution. Whether you’re a wild swimmer, surfer, kayaker, or simply someone who loves Scotland’s natural beauty, now is the time to make your voice heard. Find our Manifesto for Scotland here.

This manifesto is yours to use. Start conversations with local communities and businesses, take it to newly elected political representatives and ask what their party will do to deliver our asks, and let us know if we can support you.

This manifesto – and our 2026 campaigning – centres on four key asks of the new Scottish Government:

Protect public health

Reveal the truth through 100% sewage discharge monitoring

Enforce the law through tough independent regulators, and

Cut plastic pollution and create a circular economy

Read our manifesto for Scotland

Explore our work in Scotland

Find your local chapter in Scotland

If you'd like to get more involved in your local grassroots movement, from beach cleans to campaigns, you can contact us or your regional reps here.

Support this petition

We are supporting the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland’s Clean Up Scotland’s Sewage petition.

Learn about Scottish Water

Discover shocking facts about the public water company, Scottish Water. Explore the latest data on sewage discharges, sickness reports and water quality monitoring in Scotland.

Get our live sewage app

Don’t swim in sewage - fight it. Download the Safer Seas & Rivers Service (SSRS) app or check our online map for real-time alerts at your favourite surf, swim and paddle spots. Arm yourself with the facts to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

Explore water quality data

Understanding how and where people use the water, as well as who is getting sick, helps us to campaign to protect you better. Discover how data can fuel your fight to protect your local beach, river or lake. Our online Data HQ is a powerful tool to further research, empower communities and drive change. Explore the stories, stats and shocking truth.

Read about our election tour

Sewage and plastic pollution are a real concern for waterside communities across in the 2026 Scottish elections. That’s why we ran hustings across the country from 21 – 24 April 2026, giving local communities a chance to ask their political candidates what they and their parties will do to tackle the sewage and plastic crisis.