Fine for Scottish Water over wastewater pollution

Scottish Water has been made to pay a fine after officials found that sewage from one of its wastewater treatment plants was getting into a nearby lake.

The company was told to pay £6,000 following the discovery by environmental officers between January and April last year that Loch Ryan was being polluted by the firm's Stanraer facility.

John Gorman, investigating officer at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), noted that Scottish Water will have been well aware of the legal requirements regarding water quality in the area.

He stated that discharge from the firm's wastewater plant was deemed to be a contributing factor in this situation.

Mr Gorman remarked: "Since the end of 2005, all towns with populations of between 10,000 and 15,000, such as Stranraer, should have secondary treatment provided to their urban wastewater treatment plants."

Sepa aims to protect the environment in Scotland by regulating activities that might contaminate land, water or air quality, as well as monitoring the disposal of waste.