Dischargers to Pay More for
Environmental Protection
Issued on 10 March 1998 - Ref 9/98

Under new unified charges approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland and implemented by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) those people or companies who discharge effluent or other matter to controlled waters will, for the first time, pay a charge under a new unified scheme throughout Scotland.

This means, in essence, that those who discharge low level polluting material will pay a lower charge than those who discharge more serious substances. This is an important environmental initiative for Scotland and encourages responsible environmental behaviour. It provides a level playing field based on the polluter pays principle - those who pay more will be those whose discharges have greatest potential to pollute.

The basis is the Annual Charges Scheme and Scheme of Application Charges under the Control of Pollution Act (CoPA) 1974. Under Part 11 of CoPA, SEPA is responsible for regulating discharges to controlled waters. The agency grants consents or instruments for discharges of effluent or other matter. It services those consents and has powers to sample effluents and rivers. These charges used to be levied by the former river purification authorities now brought under the SEPA umbrella.

‘The Application Scheme extends the reduced fee category to a larger proportion of less significant discharges of trade effluent which pose minimal threat to the aquatic environment’ said Colin Bayes, SEPA Head of Water Policy.

‘The Annual Charges Scheme is a first for Scotland, as it establishes a uniform and equitable base for charging,’ he added, ‘It bands discharges according to the scale and potential environmental impact and applies to all discharges subject to monitoring by SEPA.’

SEPA consulted the holders of the 4000 consents it monitors last August and, together with The Scottish Office took into account their comments. SEPA took into account seasonality for caravan park owners and also split the annual charge into two to spread the cost.

ENDS

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724 Mobile 0370 686073
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© SEPA 1998