SCOTTISH Water has received a fine of £6000 after sewage and dead fish were discovered in a burn by the member of the public.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) officers received a report on July 11, 2022, after a person saw discharge, later confirmed to be untreated sewage from a surface water outfall, flowing into the river at Crossford Burn in Dunfermline.
SEPA investigators recorded a significant growth of sewage fungus, discolouration of the burn and an odour in the surrounding area.
The agency later identified elevated levels of ammonia, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and reactive phosphorous through tests on the water samples.
It was also confirmed dead invertebrates and fish were present.
On July 15, Scottish Water said a blockage and collapse within the combined sewer network had caused sewage to enter the surface water drainage network.
After Scottish Water had difficulty in accessing the sewer network to identify to begin the necessary repairs, the discharge stopped.
SEPA said the delays caused the effects of the pollution to be exasperated, and Scottish Water must "change behaviour and drive improvements in Scottish Water processes".
Alongside the £6000 penalty, Scottish Water must also pay SEPA costs of £1800.
Ashley Clunie, SEPA unit manager for Fife, Angus and Dundee, said: “While we accept that there was a blockage and collapse in the sewer network, the length of time this spill went on for, and the impact it had on the environment was unacceptable.
“This civil penalty has been served in order to change behaviour and drive improvements in Scottish Water processes, in particular ensuring timely responses to pollution incidents.
“The penalty imposed, plus payment of our costs, demonstrates our commitment to protecting Scotland’s water environment and ensuring accountability when operators fail to comply with regulations designed to protect our environment.”
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Any pollution incident is regrettable and while in this case it occurred due to the unforeseeable collapse of a non-critical sewer, we will learn what lessons we can and make improvements where necessary.
“Scottish Water works extremely hard to maintain over 33,000 miles of waste water pipes across Scotland. We are investing record amounts to improve our waste water network to cope with the challenges of ageing assets, increasing demand and climate change.”
