Forth oil spill source revealed

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An oil company in Grangemouth has been named as one source of the current oil spill in the Firth of Forth.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said investigations revealed the Ineos petrochemical site was one confirmed source.

The Ineos Group took over from BP at Grangemouth two years ago.

Sepa said it would serve an enforcement notice on the company on Friday, to ensure improvements to its drainage system.

We were very concerned to hear of this incident in such an environmentally sensitive area as the Firth of Forth Richard LochheadEnvironment Secretary

The company said it was currently reviewing its effluent discharge operation to establish how it may have contributed to the oil sheen.

After detailed investigations Sepa experts have identified a storm water channel within the complex as one definite leak, with recent heavy rainfall likely to have been a contributory factor to the escape of the material.

Sepa has taken water samples near an outfall for this area to establish whether discharge licence limits have been exceeded.

If evidence of this is found then further enforcement action may be taken, which may include a report to the procurator fiscal.

Sepa's area manager Lin Bunten said as far as she could tell there was not a process issue so no closure of any plant was required.

Enforcement action

She said: "Having identified one source of oil spillage our next priority is to ensure that all possible steps to minimise and avoid the risk of further pollution are being taken by Ineos.

"This is why we have taken enforcement action on Friday and will be continuing investigations over the weekend.

"In this case nature is the best possible form of clean-up, as no significant accumulations of oil have gathered on shore and no dead birds or fish have been identified as a result of this incident.

"However any avoidable pollution is unacceptable and we will continue to do our best to ensure everyone takes the protection of Scotland's environment seriously."

Richard Lochhead, Environment Secretary, said: "We were very concerned to hear of this incident in such an environmentally sensitive area as the Firth of Forth.

"I have spoken to the chief executive of Sepa on Friday to receive a full briefing on the issue and have asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation as it develops."

A Ineos spokesman said the company was "very sorry this had happened" and would be doing "everything possible" to deal with the leak.

The spokesman added: "We have identified a flood water discharge point as being a contributor to the oil sheen on the Forth.

"We have brought people in to work around the clock as well as deploying containment measures at the storm water overflow pipe to prevent any further discharge."