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Scottish Water pled guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court on 24 July 2003 to causing or knowingly permitting sewage effluent to enter the Cove Burn at Cardwell Bay, Gourock. A fine of £2500 was imposed. The case was heard after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) submitted a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

The pollution incident took place on 5 August 2002 following several months of complaints about the presence of sewage in Cardwell Bay. On the day of the incident, SEPA officers observed sewage debris in the Cove Burn as it emerged from a culvert at Cardwell Bay. The incident was related to a breakdown at Battery Park pumping station and a sewer joint failure that allowed sewage effluent to enter the Cove Burn.

A spokesperson for SEPA said: “SEPA is satisfied with the outcome of this case. SEPA works with organisations to prevent pollution occurring but in this case, despite months of investigations by Scottish Water, there continued to be problems at the pumping station. The situation was unacceptable, the aquatic environment was being harmed and SEPA had no alternative but to instigate enforcement action. Since the incident, Scottish Water has carried out essential maintenance on the pumping station and sewerage system and has installed additional safeguards to help prevent a recurrence.”

ENDS

Note to Editors

• Scottish Water pled guilty to a Section 30F(3) offence under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (as amended) of causing or knowingly permitting sewage effluent to be discharged into controlled waters.

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Joanna Gardiner
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