East Lothian Residents Angered by Sewage Tanker Operations and Flooding Issues

Residents of a small East Lothian village are outraged as tankers continue to pump raw sewage at the bottom of their gardens after nearly 100 homes were built without a proper connection to the main sewage system.

The waste collection, which takes place on land originally designated as a children’s play area, was necessitated after developers Bellway failed to link their newly built homes to the mains as planned. Tankers now access the site three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—to empty an underground sewage tank and transport the waste to another part of the development.

Unbearable Noise and Smell

The disruptions caused by the tankers have left residents frustrated and angry. Graham Drummond, whose property borders the collection site, described the impact on his daily life:
“After the weekend, the tankers can be here from 9 in the morning until late afternoon. The noise and smell make it impossible to use our garden. It’s unbearable, and we’re worried this will continue into the summer with no solution in sight.”

Councillors Delay Further Housing Approvals

Earlier this month, East Lothian councillors postponed a decision on approving an additional 111 houses on the Bellway estate after hearing from residents about the ongoing sewage issue.

The sewage problem isn’t the only source of concern. Homeowners in the village’s Waterloo Place neighborhood report severe flooding in their gardens whenever it rains. The issue has been blamed on the development of more than 80 homes on agricultural land, which residents say has disrupted the area’s natural drainage.

Flooding and the Loss of Community Green Spaces

Rob Moore, a resident of Waterloo Place, criticized the inadequacy of the flood prevention measures, such as suds (sustainable drainage system) ponds. He noted that water continues to pour into gardens despite these efforts.

“This is what happens when you build on agricultural land, stripping away its natural protections,” Rob said. “Our gardens are waterlogged, and nothing is being done to address it. Now Bellway wants to push ahead with a footpath through our street, cutting down woodland and removing a grassy play area. Enough is enough.”

He added: “No more housing should be allowed here until a full investigation is conducted into what’s already gone wrong.”

Developer’s Response

Bellway stated that they are working to resolve the sewage issue by installing pumps to replace the need for tankers. However, they explained that a second connection to the village’s main sewage system—originally part of the design—has been delayed due to external factors.

A company spokesperson commented:
“Regretfully, we can only fully connect the sewer when permission for necessary roadworks is granted by the Highways Department. This situation is beyond our control. In the meantime, we have implemented a chamber-and-tanker system to manage waste and are installing underground pumps as an interim solution.”

On the flooding and proposed footpath at Waterloo Place, Bellway declined to comment, citing ongoing planning discussions.

Residents remain unconvinced and are calling for urgent action from both the developer and local authorities. Graham Drummond summed up the community’s frustrations:
“It’s unbelievable that these homes were signed off without being properly connected to sewage mains. The council must intervene before allowing any more development here.”