Sewage leaks recorded at Renfrewshire schools and nurseries more than dozen times

Sewage leaks have been recorded on 15 occasions at education facilities in Renfrewshire in the last four years, figures have revealed.

Data has shown that eight schools and one nursery have been affected by an outpouring of waste since 2019.

The statistics have been published following a freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Jack Clark, a campaigner for the party, said: “This will be worrying news for parents and pupils in Renfrewshire.

“It goes without saying that we should not have sewage leaks in our schools.”

Two reports were made at Trinity High School, with sewage emerging in the games hall area from the showers and toilets in May 2019 and the male staff toilets found to be overflowing in August 2021.

Sewage was found coming up through a drain in changing rooms at Renfrew High School in February 2022.

Two incidents were reported at Johnstone High School, including a blockage in the learning support area where pupils were doing exams in March 2022 and a drain overflowing at the memorial garden in October of that year.

Other issues were disclosed at St Anthony’s, St Anne’s, Inchinnan, Houston and Auchenlodment primary schools, as well as Glendee Pre-Five Nursery.

Mr Clark added: “The Scottish Government have starved local authorities like Renfrewshire of the money needed to overhaul aging schools for years.

“They must urgently work to ensure councils are properly funded, upgrade Scotland’s Victorian sewage systems and prevent incidents like these.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The maintenance of school infrastructure is the responsibility of individual local authorities.

“Since 2007, the number of schools in ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ condition has increased from 61 to 90.4 per cent – seeing a 77 per cent reduction in pupils educated in substandard conditions.

“The upcoming £2bn investment in the school estate through our Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) is intended to build on that progress.”

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Any instances are repaired as quickly as possible to prevent wider damage and disruption to the school.”