[28
JUN 00] ENVIRONMENT AGENCY NEWS
Coventry Pressworks Fined For Paint Spill
A
Coventry firm that allowed paint effluent to pollute Canley Brook has
been fined £12,500 after admitting its neglect.
Bosses
at Coventry Pressworks Ltd, of Burnsall Road, Canley pleaded guilty to
two charges of causing pollution at Coventry Magistrates Court.
The
court heard that the Environment Agency was alerted by a member of the
public in November 1998 when Canley Brook started running white in
colour between Cannon Hill Road and Warwick University.
An
investigation revealed that the paint was running from a drainage
system at Coventry Pressworks.
The
company was informed and the drainage system was blocked off.
Companies that are allowed to take water from the brook downstream of
the spillage, known as abstractors, were informed, but there was no
long-lasting impact.
But
in June 1999 another spillage occurred, this time with the water
running white as it passed Hearsall Golf Club.
Again,
officers from the Environment Agency traced the source of the leak to
the paint separation unit at Coventry Pressworks.
The
paint had been washed to the drains after a spillage, but no attempt
had been made to contact the Environment Agency or seek advice about
what to do.
In
mitigation the company, which was also ordered to pay £1,715 costs
for the offences brought under the Water Resources Act 1991, said the
drainage system had been improved, and bosses were confident that it
would not happen again.
Environment
Protection team leader Mick Hyde said:
“Canley
Brook is an important watercourse to local residents, abstractors
and the agency and we will not hesitate to prosecute for negligence
leading to pollution.
“The
resultant fines should act as a warning to other companies in the
city to ensure that chemicals and oils are used, stored and disposed
of in an environmentally responsible manner.”
He
added that the prompt action by members of the public in reporting the
incident means that the harm of the spillages on the environment could
be kept to a minimum.
Anyone
who suspects environmental damage is being caused to a waterway should
call the 24-hour hotline 0800 80 70 60.
|
