Final warning over power station sea leaks

Published on Sunday 20 September 2009 21:52

A NUCLEAR power station has been issued with a final warning letter after radioactive waste leaked into the sea.

Around 2,600 litres of low level waste was discharged from Hunterston B into the Firth of Clyde on 15 May because of a problem with a valve.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said it did not cause an environmental issue. However the body issued the Ayrshire power station with a final warning letter because procedures were not followed.

A letter sent by a SEPA radioactive substances specialist to the director of Hunterston B on 8 July read: "SEPA is deeply concerned over this matter.

"As a result of the event, the station appears to have contravened a number of conditions attached to its authorisation made under section 13 of the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

"Any further contravention of the legislation is likely to result in enforcement action."

British Energy said the incident happened during a routine maintenance operation.