THE Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued penalties to two firms found to have polluted.
A farm in Perthshire and an island management company – based in Wiltshire in England – were each handed a £600 fine following a visit from the regulator.
The firm of S & W Livingston & Co was served the Fixed Monetary Penalty (FMP) by Sepa after it found that they burned waste at a location in Perthshire without authorisation in place.
On May 19 last year, two Sepa officers attended the site to investigate a report of burning. They met a partner of S & W Livingston & Co who advised that he had set a fire the day before with some waste from the farm.
The officers were able to identify items of burned or partially burned controlled wastes including plastics, treated wood, various metal items (including what appeared to be trailing farm equipment), cardboard, nails, two tyres with visible wire and carpet.
Calum McGregor, of Sepa’s environmental crime team said: “Illegally burning waste is unacceptable, and often done to avoid the charges for taking wastes to permitted waste sites for recovery or disposal.
“When inappropriate waste is burned it can release harmful gases and any ash and waste which is left behind can also pollute surface and groundwater.
“This civil penalty should act as a warning to others that we will take action against those who ignore Scotland’s environmental regulations.
“I would urge anyone disposing of waste to treat burning as a last option, and to ensure that they check what authorisations would be required.
“If you’re not sure get in touch with us, we’re happy to provide advice and guidance.”
Sepa also handed out a fine to Summer Isles Enterprises Limited after the regulator found that they were responsible for a release of silt into Badentarbat Bay in Loch Broom on the west coast of Scotland.
Sepa received a complaint on September 21 last year that significant amounts of silt were entering the bay off the east coast of Tanera Mor in Loch Broom due to construction works taking place on the island.
Evidence showed a significant plume of silt in the bay at the time and statements taken from witnesses confirmed that silt was entering the bay from below the construction works taking place on the island.
Sepa concluded that island management had not properly assessed the construction site to ensure appropriate silt mitigation was in place prior to any heavy rainfall events.
Appropriate measures were only installed during and after the heavy rainfall event that led to this pollution incident. Had appropriate mitigation measures been installed, it is likely that the pollution could have been avoided or minimised.
John MacDonald, unit manager for Sepa’s North Highland and Northern Isles team, said: “Appropriate silt mitigation measures are crucial to prevent pollution of burns, rivers and lochs – especially during heavy rainfall events. Excessive silt can have an impact on water quality, harm aquatic ecosystems and impact infrastructure.
“Sepa officers had several previous discussions with island management regarding silt mitigation measures and had previously highlighted the importance of ensuring that construction works on the island did not cause pollution of the water environment.
“I would urge anyone carrying out works near watercourses to get in touch with us before starting work to ensure they have the right mitigation in place.”
