Company fined after admitting Fal pollution (From Falmouth Packet)

Company fined after admitting Fal pollution

3:40pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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A mineral company has been ordered to pay £7,162 in fines and costs for polluting the River Fal with liquid clay three times in six months.

Imerys Materials Ltd in Par, which is responsible for an extensive network of pipelines across Cornwall, was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £3,662 costs by Bodmin magistrates on Tuesday, July 7, after pleading guilty to three offences under the water resources act.

Imerys admitted that clay escaped into the Fal from a burst pipe on July 28 last year and on two other occasions on October 6 and December 10.

Phillip Chiristie from the Environment Agency, who brought the case, said: “The Fal is a sensitive watercourse and a haven for fish and wildlife. The estuary is also an important commercial shellfishery.

“While the Agency accepts these spillages weren’t intentional, Imerys Minerals has a history of similar accidents. The company must be vigilant and strive to improve its environmental performance.

“We will continue to work with Imerys to reduce the risk of further spills.”

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