ERSKINE is one of four trial areas in Scotland where new technology that aims to predict and prevent waste water issues is being tested.

Scottish Water has placed sensors in the area to detect the presence of blockages and has already used this data to avert potential Environmental Pollution Incidents (EPIs) and flooding.

Using information from the sensors in Erskine, Inverness, Lossiemouth and East Calder, all of which have suffered from flooding and pollution events historically, Scottish Water intends to extend the scheme to other areas.

Over the next five years, an investment of up to £100million will be made in Scottish Water’s “intelligent asset base,” which is designed to use technology to monitor sewage pipes rather than relying on customers to report problems once they happen.

Chris Toop, general manager (digital) at Scottish Water, said: “We are very encouraged by the early results coming through our pilot works.

“The innovative use of sensors and analytics in this way represents a much bigger shift towards predicting and preventing issues before they impact on our customers and environment.”