News

Here you will find a complete list of the news SEPA has released. If you are a journalist and require any further information on any of the items or other environmental matters, please contact a member of our Communications Department:

SEPA News Releases - 2010

Select Year:

August

Inverdee House opens its doors for one day only - Tuesday, 31 Aug 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) new home in Torry, Aberdeen will be open to members of the public on Saturday 11 September.

£600 fine for storing waste tyres - Tuesday, 31 Aug 2010
Companies and individuals failing to comply with environmental legislation are being warned by Scotland's environment watchdog that illegal activities will not be tolerated

Carmel Burn pollution incident - statement - Saturday, 28 Aug 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was made aware of an oil pollution incident involving the Carmel burn at Crosshouse, near Kilmarnock at approximately 4.30pm on Friday 27 August.

Carmel Burn pollution incident - update 1 - Saturday, 28 Aug 2010
Oil booms put in place by SEPA are holding the oil and a specialist contractor is now removing it.

New project launched in Dumfries and Galloway to tackle invasive species - Thursday, 12 Aug 2010
A new project to deal with invasive non-native species (INNS) in Dumfries and Galloway was launched Wednesday 11 August.

SEPA scientists surprised and delighted by Clyde estuary fish - Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010
Scientists from Scotland’s environment watchdog have described work to survey fish in the Clyde Estuary and Garnock Estuary as “like being on Springwatch” after they found over 20 species, including some rather unusual specimens.

Illegal disposals of waste, seven companies, £113,500 in fines - Tuesday, 03 Aug 2010
Fines totalling £113,500 have been handed out to seven companies following investigations by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) into a site in South Lanarkshire.

July

SEPA produces new guidance to protect and improve our water environment - Tuesday, 27 Jul 2010
New guidance on sediment management has been published by Scotland’s environment watchdog to help provide clear and effective advice and improve the health of our water environment across the country.

Climate change continues to impact UK waters. Regional impacts - Monday, 19 Jul 2010
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) launched its latest annual report card on 15th July 2010 providing the very latest updates on how climate change is affecting our seas.

Burning waste in Stranraer leads to fine for company - Monday, 19 Jul 2010
A demolition company was fined £3,200 at Stranraer Sheriff Court today (19 July 2010) following offences involving the burning of waste bricks, soil, plastics, electrical cable, roofing materials and wood.

SEPA publishes new guidance for waste oils - Monday, 12 Jul 2010
New guidance on the production of fuel oils from recycled waste, published today by Scotland’s environment watchdog, means that fuel oils that meet the correct specification will no longer be regulated as waste.

June

Scottish Water fined for Irvine bathing water sewage spill - Monday, 28 Jun 2010
A sewage spill which contributed to the 2009 failure of Irvine Beach’s bathing water has resulted in a £6,000 fine for Scottish Water

SEPA sets out its priorities for the coming year - Thursday, 24 Jun 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its corporate priorities for the coming year.

Celebrate Scotland’s soil biodiversity with SEPA at this year’s Royal Highland Show - Wednesday, 23 Jun 2010
The importance of Scotland’s soils, their health and rich biodiversity, will be the theme of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) stand at this year’s Royal Highland Show

Farmer fined for Caithness waste mound - Wednesday, 09 Jun 2010
A Caithness farmer was been fined £2,800, to be paid within 18 months, at Wick Sheriff Court for offences involving a large amount of waste sub soil deposited at a farm near Wick.

Scottish Water fined for polluting Fife burn - Tuesday, 08 Jun 2010
Scottish Water was fined £12,000 today (8 June) after they failed to comply with their licence to discharge sewage effluent into the Torry burn.

Statement - Train derailment on the Glasgow to Oban line, near the Falls of Cruachan - Monday, 07 Jun 2010
At the request of the police, two officers from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) attended the scene of the train derailment on the Glasgow to Oban line, near the Falls of Cruachan, in the early hours of this morning (Monday, 7 June).

Scotland’s bathing water season begins - Tuesday, 01 Jun 2010
Hoping for a long, hot summer, people considering a day out or holiday in Scotland will be pleased to know that the bathing waters season begins today, Tuesday, 1 June 2010.

May

Worried about flooding in the Carnoustie area? - Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Residents and business owners in the Carnoustie area are encouraged to come along to a free flood information event on Monday 24 May between 4pm and 7pm.

Recycling rates continues upward trend - Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Scotland is edging ever closer to meeting its 40 per cent recycling target by the end of 2010.

Dumfries and Galloway man fined for keeping waste illegally - Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Ignoring repeated warnings to remove waste deposited in Kirkconnel has landed a Dumfries and Galloway man with a £1,600 fine.

PAS109 to recycle plasterboard says SEPA - Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Between 1.1 and 1.75 million tonnes of plasterboard enters the waste stream each year in the UK, which is not only a waste of resources but also, potentially, an environmental problem.

Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for the Borders - Monday, 17 May 2010
Every journey starts with a few steps and the next few months will see environmental experts walking the land around key rivers and burns in the Eye Water, as well as those which drain to Pease Bay.

Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for Dumfries and Galloway - Monday, 17 May 2010
Every journey starts with a few steps and the month of May will see environmental experts walking the land around key rivers and burns in Galloway and Stewartry.

Scottish Water fined £2,500 for Campbeltown Loch sewage pollution - Friday, 14 May 2010
Scottish Water was fined £2,500 at Campbeltown Sheriff Court on Wednesday (12 May) for illegally discharging untreated sewage to Campbeltown Loch in 2007.

Airdrie company director given £9,000 fine for waste offences - Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Scotland's environment watchdog is reminding companies dealing with waste that they must ensure they follow the terms of their licences and registered exemptions.

Torry’s newest ecological building officially opens - Monday, 10 May 2010
Torry’s newest office building, a trend setter in ecological design and operation, was officially opened today (Monday 10 May) by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead.

Waste Data Digest 10 - Friday, 07 May 2010
High-level trends and detailed data on how municipal, commercial and industrial waste has been managed in Scotland over the last five years has been published today (7 May) by Scotland’s environment watchdog.

Volcanic ash cloud – update 7 - Friday, 07 May 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuing to monitor the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland's environment.

SEPA sees success due to drop in dumb dumpers - Monday, 03 May 2010
A campaign to highlight the dangers of illegal tyre disposal in Glasgow and Lanarkshire has proved to be a big success, with a significant drop in the number of tyres being dumped in the area.

Burning waste results in £500 fine for Angus man - Monday, 03 May 2010
A project manager at Barry Downs Holiday Park was fined £500 at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Thursday, 29 April for burning waste on the caravan site near Carnoustie.

April

Aberdeen school pupils show off their multimedia skills to highlight the problems caused by flooding - Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010
A multimedia animation highlighting the problems caused by flooding has swept Scotstown Primary in Bridge of Don to victory.

Volcanic ash cloud – the latest news from SEPA – update 6 - Thursday, 22 Apr 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland’s environment.

Thursday 22 April is Earth Day! - Wednesday, 21 Apr 2010
Earth Day began in 1970 and was the brainchild of US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who wanted to bring growing ecological concerns to a wider audience – a “grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment”.

Volcanic ash cloud – the latest news from SEPA – update 5 - Tuesday, 20 Apr 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland’s environment.

Volcanic ash cloud – the latest news from SEPA – update 4 - Monday, 19 Apr 2010
SEPA’s ongoing monitoring of Scotland’s environment in relation to volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano has continued over the weekend.

Volcanic ash cloud – the latest news from SEPA – update 3 - Sunday, 18 Apr 2010
SEPA continues to monitor the situation regarding the ash plume from the Icelandic volcano. For details of our monitoring programme see www.sepa.org.uk/about_us/news/2010/volcanic_ash_cloud_-_update_2.aspx.

Volcanic ash cloud – the latest news from SEPA - Saturday, 17 Apr 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland’s environment.

Volcanic ash cloud – Latest situation - Update 1 - Friday, 16 Apr 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland’s environment.

Volcanic ash cloud - Friday, 16 Apr 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring the situation regarding the volcanic ash cloud currently affecting the UK and its possible impact on Scotland’s environment.

Fife scrap metal merchant pled guilty to waste offences - Tuesday, 06 Apr 2010
Operators dealing with end of life vehicles are being reminded of the importance of ensuring they follow licence conditions after a scrap metal merchant pled guilty to waste offences at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Thursday 1 April.

New carbon trading scheme to rank big UK brands on energy efficiency - Thursday, 01 Apr 2010
Supermarkets, hotels, manufacturers and public bodies are to play their part in tackling climate change.

March

Managing our climate, water and soil takes centre stage at joint SAC / SEPA conference - Wednesday, 31 Mar 2010
Managing our climate, water and soil takes centre stage at joint SAC / SEPA conference

New online maps guide the way through Scotland’s waste landscape - Tuesday, 30 Mar 2010
Information on Scotland’s waste infrastructure is now more accessible than ever thanks to new interactive online maps published today (Tuesday 30 March) by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

Flooding situation – Tuesday 30 March – 13.30 - Tuesday, 30 Mar 2010
High tides and storm surge conditions along the east coast of Scotland are combining to produce very high coastal water levels.

Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for Aberdeenshire and Moray - Monday, 29 Mar 2010
Every journey starts with a few steps and the month of April will see environmental experts walking the land around key rivers and burns in Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Advice on soil re-use builds on better regulation programme - Wednesday, 24 Mar 2010
Scotland's environment watchdog has published new guidance online to encourage quality re use of greenfield soil.

Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for Angus - Tuesday, 23 Mar 2010
Every journey starts with a few steps and the months of April and May will see environmental experts walking the land around key rivers and burns in Angus.

SEPA launches consultation on eco-friendly standard for hydropower - Wednesday, 17 Mar 2010
Scotland's environment watchdog is encouraging everyone with an interest in hydropower and its effect on the country's rivers and lochs to take part in the public consultation on Guidance for developers of run-of-river hydropower schemes.

Entries open for Scotland's leading green business awards - Tuesday, 16 Mar 2010
The search is on for Scotland’s top environmentally-friendly businesses as the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards 2010 are launched today (Tuesday 16 March) at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Scottish Water fined for Tobermory sewage leak - Tuesday, 16 Mar 2010
Scottish Water pled guilty today (Tuesday 16 March 2010) at Oban Sheriff Court after sewage was allowed to spill into Tobermory Bay, and were fined £6,667.

Flood warning information events come to Huntly - Thursday, 11 Mar 2010
Earlier this month a new £1 million Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) scheme to protect vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding in high-risk areas of the north east of Scotland

Perth watercourse pollution incident lands company with £3,000 fine - Wednesday, 10 Mar 2010
Companies and individuals handling chemicals are being reminded of the devastating effect they can have on watercourses after a company was fined £3,000 for disposing of calcium polysulphide into a surface water drain.

Scottish Water fined £6,000 for failure to fully treat sewage discharged from Stranraer - Wednesday, 10 Mar 2010
Scottish Water pled guilty yesterday (9 March) at Stranraer Sheriff Court after sewage effluent was discharged into Loch Ryan which had not undergone secondary treatment as required by the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

Keith residents to benefit from new SEPA flood warning scheme - Thursday, 04 Mar 2010
More than 38 homes and businesses in Keith will benefit from a new scheme designed to protect vulnerable communities in the Deveron catchment from the threat of flooding.

Waste no more for anaerobic digestion output - Wednesday, 03 Mar 2010
Scotland's environment watchdog has confirmed that anaerobic digestion output that is certified under the new PAS110 quality assurance scheme and that satisfies prescribed production and usage criteria will not be subject to waste regulatory controls.

Two Scottish businesses shortlisted for European Business Awards for the Environment - Wednesday, 03 Mar 2010
Two of Scotland's most environmentally-friendly businesses were last night (2 March 2010) announced as being shortlisted as finalists for the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE).

2,000 homes and businesses to benefit from new SEPA flood warning scheme - Tuesday, 02 Mar 2010
A new £1 million SEPA scheme to protect vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding in high-risk areas of the North East of Scotland was launched today by Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead.

February

New flood warnings go live in the north east - Friday, 26 Feb 2010
A new £1 million scheme to protect vulnerable communities from the threat of flooding is being switched on early in light of the bad weather currently affecting Scotland.

Shetland construction company fined for oil spill at East Voe of Scalloway - Thursday, 25 Feb 2010
A Shetland based construction and civil engineering company was fined £3,500 today (25 February 2010) for an oil spill which polluted the East Voe at Scalloway.

Watery walks lead the way to better water quality for Ayrshire - Monday, 22 Feb 2010
Every journey starts with a few steps and the month of March will see environmental experts walking the land around key rivers and burns in Ayrshire.

Invergordon fishmeal removal due to begin on Monday - Friday, 19 Feb 2010
Following the fire at Port of Invergordon on 25 January 2010, fishmeal has been stored in the open at Invergordon Harbour.

Failing to remove controlled waste means fine for Dunipace man - Friday, 19 Feb 2010
Failure to comply with a Notice served by Scotland’s environment watchdog to remove controlled waste resulted in a fine of £800 for a Dunipace man on Wednesday 17 February.

Fife chicken slurry spill results in fine for Fife egg farm - Friday, 19 Feb 2010
A slurry spill which entered the River Ore resulting in the death of a large number of fish resulted in a £3,750 fine for an egg farm based near Kirkcaldy yesterday (18 February).

SEPA and SNH join forces to promote knowledge exchange - Wednesday, 17 Feb 2010
Two of Scotland’s most prominent environmental bodies are gathering in Battleby near Perth today and tomorrow to discuss and promote current research work, and to develop the scope for future research themes.

Recycling rates rise again - Monday, 15 Feb 2010
Scotland’s recycling and composting rate continues to make steady progress.

Flooding information event comes to town - Friday, 12 Feb 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is taking flooding information on the road again, and heading to Bridge of Earn and Coupar Angus.

Banknock skip hire company fined £1,750 after complaint about waste - Tuesday, 09 Feb 2010
A skip hire company was fined £1,750 at Falkirk Sheriff Court today (9 February) for illegally keeping waste on a site in Bonnybridge.

Perth man fined £9000 for polluting the River Earn - Wednesday, 03 Feb 2010
Scotland's environment watchdog is reminding anyone carrying out work in or near a watercourse to ensure they take steps to protect the environment before starting.

January

Greener SEPA has a promising outlook - Thursday, 28 Jan 2010
Scotland’s environment watchdog continues to improve its green performance, achieving four out of six targets set to improve the agency’s environmental footprint.

Cement explosion results in fine for Peterhead company - Thursday, 21 Jan 2010
A cement storage company has been fined £14,000 at Peterhead Sheriff Court for failures which resulted in an explosion of cement powder affecting both residential and commercial properties up to two kilometres away from the site.

Balancing the benefits of renewables generation and protection of the water environment - Thursday, 21 Jan 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) welcomes the Ministerial policy statement on hydropower generation and protection of the water environment.

Thawing and flooding - update 4 - Saturday, 16 Jan 2010
In some areas, there remains a considerable volume of water locked up in the extensive snow cover which, in many cases, is overlying frozen ground and has the potential to contribute to flooding.

Thawing and flooding - update 5 - Saturday, 16 Jan 2010
The ongoing thaw of recent days, in combination with a spell of heavy rain which crossed much of Scotland overnight and into today (Saturday, 16 January), has resulted in a rapid rise in river levels across much of Scotland,

Thawing and flooding - update 3 - Friday, 15 Jan 2010
Today (Friday 15 January) will see a band of rain (and hill snow) cross Scotland with temperatures continuing to rise, hence there will be an acceleration in the rate of thaw of lying snow in many areas.

Thawing and flooding - Update 2 - Thursday, 14 Jan 2010
Thursday (14th January) will see a continuation of the low temperatures and further light rain or snow, and therefore the flood risk during the next 12 - 24 hours remains low.

SEPA welcomes Audit Scotland report on Scotland’s environment - Thursday, 14 Jan 2010
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has welcomed the key findings from Audit Scotland’s report on ‘Protecting and improving Scotland’s environment’ which was published today (Thursday, 14 January).

Illegally disposing of waste results in fine for Aberdeenshire businessman - Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010
An Aberdeenshire businessman was fined £900 at Banff Sheriff Court yesterday (11 January 2010) after being found guilty of offences relating to the illegal disposal of waste on land in Turriff.

Thawing and flooding - update 1 - Monday, 11 Jan 2010
There is clearly a considerable volume of rainfall equivalent locked up in the extensive snow cover which, in many cases, is overlying frozen ground and has the potential to contribute to flooding.