Seafield Facts

Seafield is the main Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) in Edinburgh and serves a population equivalent of 850,000 from the Esk Valley and Edinburgh areas.  This figure accounts for the resident population, discharges from industry, and the fluctuating tourist numbers throughout the year.

On an average day 302,332 cubic metres of waste water  flows into Seafield.  In periods of high flow caused by excessive rainfall, flows can reach 21,000 litres per second. 

Where possible, the treatment process is entirely natural and as few chemicals are added to the process as is possible.  Naturally occurring bacteria is the preferred method used to break down organic matter in the waste water.

Seafield has its own Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility which means it can generate its own electricity from gases produced during the treatment of sludge.  In the winter months the facility can be self sufficient in energy terms. 

However in the summer months, the facility imports electricity from the national grid as the waste water must undergo additional treatment to comply with bathing water standards.  When output is at its peak, the CHP facility can produce 2.3 Mega Watts of electricity.

Bag It and Bin It

Scottish Water and Veolia Water actively encourage residents in the Edinburgh area to 'Bag it and Bin It - Don't Flush It'.  Seafield continues to receive items that can cause severe problems and blockages due to inappropriate items flushed down the toilet. 

Find out more about Bag It and Bin It here

The volume of waste water flowing into Seafield is increasing – we can all play our part in reducing water consumption, read our tips on water efficiency.