Tata Steel donates £73,000 following pollution incident

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Tata Steel UK Ltd (TSUK) has made amends to a pollution incident on the Bottesford Beck near Scunthorpe that involved a ‘heavy red coloured’ lubricating oil.

Environment Agency officers found the oil on Seraphim Lagoon, the Bottesford Beck and in wetland channels of Ashby Ville Local Nature Reserve following a call on 22 May 2015 by the TSUK environment manager.

An investigation found that the oil overflowed from an industrial bulk container as oil was being drained from a lubricating tank on the TSUK site.

The firm accepted an obligation to make a donation of £73,000 to Humber Nature Partnership and final plans of how it will be spent are underway.

Elizabeth Cooper, environment officer with the Environment Agency, said: “We work hard to protect people and the environment. In this case, we considered that the Enforcement Undertaking was an appropriate way to sanction the company while creating a benefit for the local environment.”

TSUK has also agreed to take action to ensure that a similar incident does not recur.

The Enforcement Undertaking also requires TSUK to:

  • Implement pollution prevention and restoration works
  • Review refresher training for staff
  • Site improvement works
  • Pay Environment Agency costs

“Serious pollution can have devastating effects on rivers, fields and wildlife,” Cooper added.