Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service press release on Scottish Water’s conviction for polluting the River Devon

http://www.copfs.gov.uk/media-site/media-releases/638-scottish-water-fined-10-000-for-two-pollution-incidents

Sara Shaw, Procurator Fiscal, Wildlife and Environment said:

“These incidents were, sadly, entirely avoidable.

“Both incidents were brought to the attention of SEPA by members of the public, at which point the environmental damage was already done. If proper safeguards, and an effective system for checking and maintaining Scottish Water plant, had been in place, both of these incidents could have been prevented. At the very least, earlier intervention by Scottish Water could have lessened their environmental impact.

“Scottish Water failed to implement appropriate inspection, maintenance and notification systems. That failure, the resultant damage to the environment and the impact on the local communities, is unacceptable.”