Risk news

A Scottish utilities firm has been hit with a fine after it allowed sewage to spill into the sea at Tobermory Bay.

The company, Scottish Water, was fined £6,667 after untreated sewage leaked into the bay from a break in a collecting sewer located within the harbour wall.

Officials at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) were alerted to the incident when local residents contacted them.

Scottish Water pleaded guilty to breaching the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 Regulation 5 and 40(1)(a) and the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 20(3)(a) at Oban Sheriff Court.

Jenny Davies, the investigating officer for SEPA, said odour from discharge has had a negative affect on householders and visitors to Tobermory.

"Local residents and others have … expressed concerns about the possible effects on human health arising from contact with the sewage-contaminated water," she explained.

SEPA checks the quality of bathing water across Scotland regularly, with gaps of no more than four months between tests.

Our hardfacts information sheets includes a series providing comprehensive guidance on environmental protection.