Scottish Water fined for sewage spill

SCOTTISH Water has been fined £20,000 for dumping partially-treated sewage into a protected wetland area, the Crown Office said.

Two unlicensed discharges were made from the company’s Lochwinnoch sewage treatment works around Castle Semple Loch, Renfrewshire, in October 2010.

The company pled guilty to the offence last October and was fined at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday.

Castle Semple Loch is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and has a watersports centre, RSPB bird reserve and a salmon fishery.

Craig Harris, head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service wildlife and environmental unit, said the situation that developed was “entirely avoidable”.

A Scottish Water spokesman said it takes its environmental responsibilities “very seriously”.