LONDON, March 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The Environment Agency has secured £430,000 for West Country Rivers Trust from Imerys Minerals Limited, following six clay pollution incidents across atwo-yearperiod.
The money will be used toimprovefishmigrationand engage local communities tomonitorand champion river health.
Imerys made the offer after an Environment Agency investigation into the incidents.
In agreeing to the sanction, which is known as an enforcement undertaking and can be used as an alternative to a prosecution, Imerys has put in place robust measuresto reducethe likelihood of similar pollution incident happening again.
This includes a review of operational procedures, installation ofnewequipmentand a commitment to a10-yearpipeline replacement strategy.
Clay was released on the surrounding land during the incident near Goonamarris
The company will also cover the Environment Agency's investigation and enforcement costs of£22,600.
The six pollution incidents took place across Cornwall, in the StAustell area, between September 2021 and July 2023.
In one incident, an underground pipeline at Imerys' clay production plant in Cornwall nearGoonamarrisfailed on 15 September 2021. Clay was released on the surrounding land as well as entering theGwindraStream, which then leads to the River Fal.
Imerys estimated that an equivalent weight of clay lost was 87.8 dry tonnes. Sampling suggested environmental impacts were still present two months after the incident.
An investigation found that the pipe fracture waslikely causedby damage from machinery. Imerys believe that machinery had thinned and weakened the pipeline.
Clay entered the Gwindra Stream, which then leads to the River Fal
A second clay discharge to theGwindraStreamtook place in December 2022.
Other incidentsincludedthe failure ofa buried pipeline jointcausing a clay discharge into a stream, and a leaking joint atImerysMaclarenstank sitecausing clay to flow intothe River Fal.
Environment AgencyTeamLeader, Jack Hale, said:
This commitment allows Imerys to put things right in a way that directlybenefitsthe environment.
We are pleased that the money will go towards improving water quality and fish habitat in the area.
Imerys estimated that an equivalent weight of clay lost was 87.8 dry tonnes
Stephanie Knights, Head of River Restoration at the West Country Rivers Trust, said:
The River Fal catchment is an area of exceptional environmental value, yet it faces significant pressure from a legacy of mining and quarrying.
We are exploring fish passage solutions with the Environment Agency and habitat improvement opportunities, whilst pursuing research partnerships with the University of Exeter, and engaging local communities through our Citizen Science Investigations programme tomonitorand champion river health.
Our focus is clear: restore fish passage, improve habitat and water quality, and build the long-term ecological resilience this river deserves."
Background
What is an enforcement undertaking (EU)?
An EU is available to the Environment Agency as an alternative sanction to prosecution or monetary penalty for dealing with certain environmental offences.
It is alegally-bindingvoluntary agreement proposed by a business (or an individual) when the EA has reasonable grounds to suspect that an environmental offence has occurred.
EUs for environmental offences were introduced under the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010 and the Environmental Civil Sanctions (Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations 2010.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
