Environment Agency fines Chevron for "major" fuel spill

International energy firm Chevron has been fined for a "major" fuel spill from a terminal in Poole.

The Environment Agency explained that it brought the case against the company, which was ordered to pay more than £11,500 in costs and fines.

In a statement, it explained that it was alerted to a fuel spill at the site in 2006 and that some 29,000 litres of diesel had escaped from a tank at the site run by Chevron, which does business in more than 100 countries around the world.

After carrying out an inspection that found nearby Poole Harbour to be clear from damage, the Environment Agency heard from Wessex Water, which said that fuel was contaminating a sewage treatment works in the area.

It was found that the majority of the spilled diesel had entered a foul sewer, causing the quality of the effluent to be reduced. Wessex Water was able to contain the spill.

"This was a major fuel spill that could have resulted in serious pollution of Poole Harbour, an internationally important wildlife site," said Julian Wardlaw for the Environment Agency.

"The majority of the diesel entered Wessex Water's foul sewer network where it caused serious operational problems."

Posted by Joseph Hutton