Environment Agency uses new powers to tackle illegal waste site
A company has been found guilty of operating without an environmental permit despite efforts to bring by Environment Agency officers to bring the site into compliance.
TP & G Specialists Limited were found to be generating emissions including dust and smoke, which were affecting neighbouring properties.
The Environment Agency applied to Birmingham Magistrates Court for a restriction order, which was granted. This order was the first to be granted to date.
Restriction Order
The Waste Enforcement (England and Wales) Regulations 2018 introduced restriction orders. Courts may grant restriction orders on application. These orders prohibit access to and the import of waste to premises or specific sections of premises.
£28,000 penalty for Nottinghamshire farming companies who caused serious pollution
Two Nottinghamshire farming companies have been fined for polluting a pond in Sutton-cum-Lound near Retford.
The pollution incidents were caused by a run-off of maize silage effluent at a maize storage/clamping operation at an anaerobic digestion plant at Sutton Grange Farm. This arose due to the storage of an excessive amount of maize stored inappropriately. The incident resulted in the death of 35 fish and caused a significant impact on local groundwater.
The Environment Agency also identified that Sutton Grange Services Ltd had failed to comply with the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations 2010 as a second pile of maize was not stored correctly.
Penalties
Sutton Grange AD Ltd was fined £6,000 and Sutton Grange Services Ltd was fined a total of £2,800. Each company was ordered to pay costs of £10,000, as well as a victim surcharge of £170.
South West Water fined after repeat sewage spill at Devon beach
South West Water has been fined after repeatedly polluting a Devon beach with sewage.
On 13 April 2017 a manhole on South Sands beach overflowed for around 32 hours. This spilled raw sewage onto the beach. A sand dam had been built around the manhole by children playing nearby. The sewage contained ‘extremely high’ levels of e-coli bacteria.
The blockage was attributed to sand entering the sewage network. A firm was called in to remove the blockage, but the work was delayed until the next morning due to high tide. In the interim, South West Water installed cones and tape.
South West Water subsequently replaced seals and covers on a number of manholes in the area. However, the manhole on South Sands beach was not sealed until April 2018, a year after the incident.
The court also heard that a similar incident had occurred in 2012.
Breaches
South West Water pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 12(1), 38(1)(a) and 39(1) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
Penalty
South West Water was fined £44,000 and ordered to pay £18,883.06 costs and £170 victim surcharge.
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