11/08/2005 - Edmund Nuttall
Limited, whose registered office is at St
James House, Camberley, Surrey was fined £37,500
by Magistrates' at Bridgend today. The company
had pleaded guilty to four offences under
the Water Resources Act 1991, relating to
the discharge of polluting matter into the
River Llynfi. The offences specifically related
to the discharge of contaminated surface water
from the Maesteg Washery Restoration Scheme
into the River Llynfi in January and August
2004. The company was also ordered to pay
the full £3,122 costs of the prosecution,
brought by Environment Agency Wales.
The charges were as follows:
Causing polluting matter to enter the River
Llynfi from the Harvey Street Culvert, Maesteg
on 16 August 2004.
Causing polluting matter to enter the River
Llynfi from Crown Rise, Maesteg on 18 August
2004.
Causing polluting matter to enter the River
Llynfi from Harvey Street Culvert, Maesteg
on 18 August 2004.
The company was fined £12,500 on each
of these three charges, brought under Section
85(1) of the Water Resources Act 1991.
On a fourth charge - under Section 85(6)
- of failing to comply with a condition of
a discharge consent on 14 January 2004, no
separate penalty was applied.
The Court sentenced the company on the totality
of the offences committed. Whilst the January
offence incurred no separate penalty, the
Court took the view that the company had sufficient
opportunity to put in place the correct procedures
to deal with any potential incident or pollution
from the site after that date.
Speaking after the case Neil Herbert, Agency
Senior Environment Officer said: ' The Agency
is pleased that the court recognised the seriousness
of these offences, which was reflected in
the level of fine imposed on the offender.
The case highlights the important obligations
the industry carries, in ensuring that these
restoration projects are undertaken in a manner,
which does not cause pollution of the environment.
We will always endeavour to work with industry
to prevent pollution, but we will also act
firmly against those who fail to heed our
advice.'
