Scottish Water fined for polluting Cander Water

Added on 02 May 2013

Scottish Water has been fined for pollution and illegally discharging sewage into two rivers.

Scottish Water admitted five charges of contravening their water use licence from their Amlaird Water Treatment Works near Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire.

It also pled guilty to two licence breaches over an illegal discharge from its Stonehouse Sewage Treatment Works near Hamilton in South Lanarkshire.

Scottish Water was hit with a £9750 fine for discharging sludge into the Craufurdland Water in East Ayrshire and for releasing untreated sewage into Cander Water in South Lanarkshire.

The Crown Office said levels of manganese, iron and suspended solids were found in the Craufurdland Water on May 9, 2011, although an ecological survey confirmed there was no long term impact on the river.

Between August 26, 2011, and September 6, 2011, Scottish Water discharged raw sewage from its Stonehouse Sewage Treatment Works into Cander Water.

The Crown said this resulted in the watercourse being littered with "sewage debris and fungus" including untreated waste being deposited on the river banks and lodged in the branches of trees.

Craig Harris, procurator fiscal for wildlife and environment, said: "This pollution was entirely avoidable. They damaged the environment but also deprived the public of enjoyment of our spectacular watercourses. Those who work with our waters must ensure such events do not occur."