| 16/01/2006
- A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was put at
risk by oil pollution from Cavalier Haulage (Anglia) which
runs a transport and warehouse business at Hadleigh Road Industrial
Estate, Ipswich. An oil tank at the site leaked into rainwater
drains which led into the River Orwell, part of the estuary
designated a SSSI by English Nature as an internationally
recognised important bird nesting and roosting area.
The Environment Agency told Ipswich magistrates today (Mon)
that the company had failed to find out what was in the
tank before the incident, failed to place it in a bunded
area where any spills could not run away into the environment
and was ineffective in its response to the leak.
There was no report made to the Agency, no professional
clean-up advice sought, no inspection of nearby drains afterwards
and no knowledge of how much was spilt.
Cavalier Haulage was fined £2,000 and was ordered
to pay full Environment Agency costs of £1,918 after
pleading guilty to causing the pollution.
It took Environment Agency officers two days of researching
surface water drainage systems and lifting of manhole covers
to finally find the source of the oil pollution which was
seen in the River Orwell around Ranleigh Road, Ipswich.
When they finally tracked it down to Dunlop Road on the
industrial estate they visited the Cavalier Haulage site
and were shown a large amount of oil stained sawdust in
the yard, a large oily puddle in the middle of the yard
and an oil sheen over the whole area.
In one corner was the tank with stained sawdust around
it. The tank was propped on one side and there was a pipe
bent up against the wall apparently to prevent further spillage.
There was no raised bunded area around the tank even though
it was close to a manhole and within 15 metres of a drain.
A director of Cavalier told Agency investigators that the
tank had been damaged by a forklift truck three days before.
It had not been in use and was presumed empty or close to
empty. When oil leaked from the tank the sawdust was put
down and then left to dry.
The effects of the spill were still apparent three days
after the incident indicating that a significant amount
of oil had escaped into the drain.
Luckily there had not been any specific harm to flora or
fauna but the water quality was affected and the potential
for harm to a sensitive ecology was real.
Cavalier Haulage (Anglia) admitted that on or about 31
January 2005 they did cause poisonous, noxious or polluting
matter to be discharged into controlled waters, namely the
River Orwell at Horseshoe Sluice, Ipswich the county of
Suffolk, contrary to section 85(1) Water Resources Act 1991.
After the hearing Environment Agency team leader Matt Butcher
said: ‘Pollution incidents can cause significant harm to
our rivers both in terms of water quality and amenity value.
It is the responsibility of the polluter to ensure that
the spillage is contained and removed to ensure that it
does not reach our waterways.
‘Accidents do happen, but it is important to have the quality
of installation and the emergency procedures in place to
protect the environment when things go wrong.
‘The Oil Storage Regulations specify minimum standards
for oil tanks and we willingly offer pollution prevention
advice for their siting and operation at commercial and
industrial premises. We would urge people to ask for our
help before a spill rather than ending up in court like
today.’
For advice on oil storage regulations contact the Environment
Agency on 08708 506506.
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