Suez ordered to pay £0.5m in fines and costs for pollution incident and breach of environmental permit.

 

Investigation ends into contaminated water problems that caused 'appalling odours' and area's worst outbreak of sewage fungus in 20 years.

 

Following resident complaints commencing in 2012 the Environment Agency visited the Cannon Bridge landfill site near Liskeard and found contaminated surface water and spillages of leachate in uncontrolled areas of the site.

 

After a complex 4 year investigation, Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Limited was ordered to pay £505,000 at a sentence hearing at Truro Crown Court on 03 February to 6 offences under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

 

Simon Harry, of the Environment Agency, said whilst paying tribute to local residents:

 

"We take pollution incidents very seriously and this case should send a strong message to all industrial operators of the potential consequences of failing to take adequate steps to protect the environment."

 

Fine: £505,000 (£180,000 fine, £325,000 costs)

Organisation: Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Limited

 

Category: Compliance

Regulation: Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010

Date published: 09 February 2017

Source: GOV.UK