SEPA : Press Statement 2003

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is authorised to discharge process effluent into the River South Esk. SEPA has requested a dye test to assess the potential impact on the north side of the river estuary and Montrose Bay following some foreshore protection work. The work will involve injecting a quantity of red dye into the outfall during a normal discharge on an ebb tide and monitoring the resulting red-coloured plume as it mixes and disperses into the sea. The red dye is environmentally safe.

The work is part of ongoing discussions between GSK and SEPA on effluent discharges to the river and builds on work carried out jointly in the early 1990's. It is intended to ensure that recent changes to the foreshore and future changes in manufacturing activities at the Montrose site continue to have no significant impact on the marine environment.

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Contact

Lynn McMath on 0131 273 7274 for further information

www.sepa.org.uk

General enquiries:

Telephone: 01786 457723/24