New publications this month:

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 79: Waste collection authorities contingency planning

Waste collection authorities and their contracted providers may operate temporary, contingency waste collection centres without a permit where the conditions of this RPS are met. This RPS covers incidents where normal household waste collections cannot be carried out.

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (DEFRA)

Synopsis of responses to the consultation on proposals to ban the use of microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products

This document compiles a synopsis of responses to a consultation on a proposal to ban the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products in the UK.

HIGH SPEED TWO (HS2) LIMITED

Understanding the HS2 Phase 2a environmental statement

This document provides guidance on the environmental statement prepared for Phase 2a of HS2. A glossary of terms has also been published supporting this statement.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Consultation on an exemption for Energy Intensive Industries from the indirect cost of the Renewables Obligation in Scotland– Scottish Government Response

This document sets out the Scottish Government’s response to opinions received on its consultation on proposals to exempt energy intensive industries from costs associated with the renewables obligation in Scotland. The decisions set out are consistent with the decisions taken by the UK Government affecting England and Wales.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, ENVIRONMENT AND RURAL AFFAIRS (DAERA)

Consolidated List of all Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern

This document provides a consolidated list of invasive alien species identified to be of Union concern to date, including both flora and fauna. The list includes the species scientific name, English name and the entry into force date.

Yorkshire Water fined for polluting Staithes watercourse with sewage sludge

Yorkshire Water has been fined for polluting a Staithes watercourse with sewage. The sewage had leaked from a poorly-maintained storage tank.

The pollution source was traced to the firm’s Hinderwell Waste Water Treatment Works in July 2015, where the sludge storage tank was found to be poorly-maintained, rusting and had a number of holes.

The Environment Agency determined that the incident had had a significant impact on water quality within the beck, where it became discoloured and had a foul odour. Up to 100 dead fish were observed and water quality tests depicted high levels of ammonia and low dissolved oxygen levels. The watercourse also runs through a caravan park.

The incident also impacted water quality downstream in Staithes Harbour, which was a designated bathing water at the time. An ‘abnormal situation’ was declared, lasting 17 days and advising the public not to enter the water.

Remedial efforts were found not to have been effectively implemented, with the company still attempting to clean the sewage sludge from the waterway three months after the incident.

Mitigation actions ultimately taken by Yorkshire Water include the installation of a gully guard to prevent future spillages and a replacement sludge tank which is now fitted with an alarm.

Penalty

Yorkshire Water was fined £600,000.

Water companies make environmental improvements but Environment Agency urges more action

According to the Environment Agency, the majority of the UK’s water companies achieved close to or exceeded targets set to improve water quality during 2016. The top performing water companies were Wessex Water and United Utilities.

The total number of pollution incidents recorded increased by 160 in 2016. 2016 was also the first year where several million pound fines were issued by the courts against water companies in relation to pollution incidents.

Compliance with permits at sewage and water treatment works was at 98.6% on average during 2016. The total number of pollution incidents and the most damaging pollution incidents increased in the period.

Annual water and sewerage company environmental performance reports are available via Gov.uk.