Scottish Water fined 'for damaging water quality'

Scottish Water has been given a fine following the pollution of the Durris Burn last year.

The company admitted to causing harm to water quality between January and April of last year, when it released high levels of biochemical oxygen into the Durris Burn.

It also admitted to not providing a report when served with a notice for one by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), according to the Press and Journal.

Scottish Water was fined £5,000 by Stonehaven Sherrif Court, with £4,000 being levied for causing the water pollution and £1,000 for withholding information from Sepa.

However, an additional charge that it has dumped sewage into the water without permission, was dismissed.

If members of the public suspect there to be any form of water pollution, they are urged to contact Sepa, giving as much detail as possible.

Earlier this month, the UK won a water quality case which had been brought against it by the European Commission, which stated that Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive obligations had not been met.

Posted by Claire Manning