Media Releases : 2022 : All

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) joins emergency responder partners in urging Scots and visitors to Scotland to steer clear of flood water this New Year as the country clears up from a significant flooding event.  Read the full statement

The Variable Monetary Penalty (VMP), the first in Scotland served by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), was issued to Paterson’s of Greenoakhill Ltd due to offensive odour issues at the site between 8 and 15 June 2021.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s bathing water quality continues to improve with 38 out of 87 (44%) rated as ‘excellent’ for 2023. This is the highest number ever and highlights sustained improvements in bathing water quality, achieved through partnership projects. Overall bathing water quality has seen ongoing improvements since 2015, when tighter standards first came into force. For next season, 85 sites will meet or exceed the sufficient classification.  Read the full statement

The latest Radioactivity in Food and the Environment Report (RIFE 27) has been published today (3 November) and shows that levels and concentrations of man-made radioactivity measured in the environment during 2021 were within international dose limits.  Read the full statement

The winners of the 2022 VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards have been revealed. There were 45 finalists whittled down from a record breaking 422 entrants.  Read the full statement

Air quality monitors have been installed across a village in the Stirling area as part of a project to support communities to become more aware of local air pollution and to consider steps that can be taken to help reduce our contribution.  Read the full statement

Two projects, directly commissioned by SEPA and funded by WEF, have completed to help repair rivers in Scotland. Full weirs have been removed from the River Eden at Gateside Mills in Fife and the Bronie Burn near Ellon in Aberdeenshire.  Read the full statement

People in Glasgow are being encouraged to shape the future of climate action with 'Pint and A Plan' at Tennent's Wellpark Brewery this month.  Read the full statement

Producer registration for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme is getting closer. New guidance for producers has been published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to help businesses prepare.  Read the full statement

Water scarcity has already proven to be a significant impact in eastern parts of the country this year as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) reveals the extent of extreme, dry conditions experienced.  Read the full statement

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) statisticians have published Official Statistics today (27 September 2021) which provide detail of Household Waste collected across all Local Authorities during 2021, as well as waste landfilled and incinerated in Scotland in 2021.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) data for 2021.  Read the full statement

Pint and A Plan’ is a series of events being held across Scotland by the brewer in partnership with 2050 Climate Group and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) which are aimed at those who are new to taking climate action or simply don’t know where to begin.  Read the full statement

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The Ythan and Lower Tweed river catchments have joined the River Tyne in Significant level for water scarcity, with The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) now imposing suspensions on water abstraction licences in all three areas.  Read the full statement

The first Cromarty Firth waste vessel is on its way to Turkey to be safely dismantled after SEPA finalised an application for its export.  Read the full statement

River and groundwater levels are critically low in the Tyne catchment in East Lothian, with the area reaching Significant water scarcity in the latest report published by The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Scotland’s iconic salmon will be better protected in future, with a world-leading approach to tackle the range of threats faced in Scotland’s rivers and coastal waters.  Read the full statement

Support and compliance from Scottish farmers, coupled with recent rainfall, has led to water abstraction suspensions being lifted in the River Eden catchment. However, SEPA will be imposing suspensions on water abstraction licences in parts of River Tweed catchment.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is suspending water abstractions for most licence holders in mid and north Fife as river and groundwater levels become critical in the east of Scotland.  Read the full statement

Parts of Fife have now reached the highest level for water scarcity, as below average rainfall in the east of Scotland continues to cause stress on the environment.  Read the full statement

A mobile exhibit, highlighting the science and issues around air pollution and air quality, is on display in Edinburgh this summer.  Read the full statement

Businesses are being asked to reduce water use as nearly all of east and south Scotland sees impacts of water scarcity. Mid and north Fife are expected to reach Significant Scarcity in the next week and the Tweed catchment in the Borders is Moderate Scarcity. SEPA may have to impose restrictions on abstractions.  Read the full statement

Following a week of hot and dry weather, many parts of Scotland remain at an increased risk of water scarcity in the latest situation report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Salmon have returned to the Garrell Burn in Kilsyth for the first time in 100 years, as a result of a river restoration project by the council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Eleven more areas in Scotland are at an increased risk of water scarcity in the latest situation report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

In the latest water scarcity report published by SEPA, the River Ythan catchment in Aberdeenshire joins the Firth of Tay in Moderate Scarcity level due to very dry ground conditions and low river levels.  Read the full statement

Nicole Paterson, who joins SEPA in October, is an award-winning local government Chief Officer, with nearly thirty-years’ experience across five local authorities, consultancy, and environmental non-executive roles; leading operational, regulatory and strategic environmental services.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Flood Forecast is the biggest change to SEPA's flood warning service since 2011 and will help communities respond to more frequent floods as a result of climate change.  Read the full statement

SEPA is working closely with East Renfrewshire Council, through the Water Environment Fund (WEF), to improve the Levern Water and return it to a more natural river channel.  Read the full statement

A record number of entrants for the 2022 awards have been narrowed down to 45 finalists – from across a range of industries including food and drink, construction and life sciences. They will all be considered for one or more categories ahead of the award ceremony later this year.  Read the full statement

The Firth of Tay area has now reached Moderate Scarcity, the second highest risk level, in the latest water scarcity situation report from SEPA.  Read the full statement

In the latest report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Wick and Thurso join eastern parts the country, where Alert level has been reached. Parts of Dumfries and Galloway have been raised to Early Warning Level.  Read the full statement

In the latest report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Borders joins parts of Aberdeenshire, Tayside, Fife and the Lothians, where Alert level has been reached.  Read the full statement

Schools, businesses, local authorities and other organisations across Scotland, and beyond, are taking part in Clean Air Day – a national air quality campaign. Now in its sixth year, Clean Air Day’s theme is ‘Air pollution impacts our health from our first breath to our last’.  Read the full statement

This collaboration between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Glasgow City Council will inform management of flood risk on the Clyde, and replaces the River Clyde Flood Management Strategy model.  Read the full statement

A new data visualisation tool to help to help researchers better understand the effects medicines have on Scotland’s environment has been launched by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on behalf of the One Health Breakthrough Partnership (OHBP).  Read the full statement

More parts of Scotland have reached Alert level for water scarcity in the latest report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Declan Clarke originally pleaded guilty, after being accused of dumping more than 51 tonnes of tyres and household waste at a number of sites across Glasgow.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is collaborating with partners to improve water quality at Dhoon Bay as the 2022 bathing water season begins.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published its first water scarcity alert of the year with business operators and farmers in the Firth of Tay area urged to efficiently manage their water use.  Read the full statement

Scotland’s bathing water season begins today (1 June) ready to welcome locals, international and domestic visitors to 87 locations around the country, playing a vital role in helping Scotland’s tourism industry recover after limited travel over the last few years.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is highlighting how businesses are playing their part to protect Scotland’s water environment as part of Water Saving Week 2022.  Read the full statement

The three-day Scottish Flood Forecast is the biggest change to our flood warning service since it began in 2011 and will provide more advance notice to at-risk communities and businesses.  Read the full statement

The plan supports Scotland’s transition to Net Zero and continued adaption to a post-EU policy environment. It prioritises regulatory focus on permitting, compliance checking, tackling non-compliance and illegal activities, environmental monitoring and beyond compliance opportunities.  Read the full statement

Lower Largo in Fife and Barassie in Ayrshire are now Scottish designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP. This brings the total number of bathing waters in Scotland to 87, the highest number on record.  Read the full statement

Barassie beach in Ayrshire is now one of Scotland's designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP. Lower Largo in Fife has also been newly designated as a bathing water in 2022, bringing the total number to 87.  Read the full statement

Lower Largo beach in Fife is now one of Scotland's designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP. Barassie in Ayrshire has also been newly designated as a bathing water in 2022, bringing the total number to 87.  Read the full statement

Wardie Bay in Edinburgh has not been designated as one of Scotland's designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP.  Read the full statement

Almondell in West Lothian has not been designated as one of Scotland's bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP.  Read the full statement

Parts of Tayside and Aberdeenshire have reached early warning level in the latest water scarcity report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement

Local officers and specialist enforcement officers from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) joined colleagues from Police Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council Trading Standards, Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards, Moray Council Trading Standards and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in Operation Protector, designed to target criminals involved in illegal waste activity.  Read the full statement

Parts of Scotland have reached early warning stage in the first water scarcity report published by SEPA this year.  Read the full statement

Scottish businesses championing environmental practice and products have until April 29 to apply to showcase their eco-excellence to be in with a chance of securing a prestigious VIBES Scottish Environment Business Award.  Read the full statement

Franceska brings a wealth of experience in sustainability and has been appointed to the Board until the end of her term on 31 December 2023.  Read the full statement

The new Future Flood and Incident Messaging Service (FFIMS) will involve an initial phase of developments over the next year, including dynamic and location-based alerts and new digital communications.  Read the full statement

Residues from distilleries and breweries can be added to sewage sludge processed at Aberdeen’s Nigg Waste Water Treatment Works for the first time.  Read the full statement

The latest data reveals greenhouse gas emissions from SEPA regulated industrial sites fell by 6% between 2019 and 2020.  Read the full statement

Communities affected by dust emissions from an incident involving Valleyfield Ash Lagoons at the former Longannet Power Station in 2017 will benefit from £100,000 of funds which are available for environmental projects in their local areas.  Read the full statement

Fife Council, in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have completed the restoration of a section of the Lyne Burn in Dunfermline.  Read the full statement

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is working with businesses across Scotland to help them prepare for a potential lack of water this summer.  Read the full statement

All those who collect, transport, store treat and dispose of healthcare waste are being encouraged to respond to a consultation on its storage and treatment from Scotland’s environmental regulator.  Read the full statement

Hospitals, dentists, care homes, veterinary practices, pharmacies, needle exchange facilities and other producers of healthcare waste are being encouraged to respond to a consultation on its storage and treatment from Scotland’s environmental regulator.  Read the full statement

Entries are now open for VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards, and companies across Scotland of all sizes with a green ethos that have demonstrated significant business benefits from good environmental practice are being encouraged to enter.  Read the full statement

More than 1,300 households are being encouraged to sign up for notifications from the Ayr and Annick Flood Warning schemes.  Read the full statement

Scottish business environmental compliance was over 90% for the fifth year in a row in the latest data recovered and published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) after the agency’s December 2020 cyber-attack.  Read the full statement

A consultation setting out plans for a mandatory digital waste tracking service in the UK was launched on 21 January 2022.  Read the full statement

Scottish Environment Protection Agency staff and their work tackling waste crime will be featured as part of investigative journalism programme BBC Disclosure on Monday 31 January at 7pm.  Read the full statement

Enhanced environmental monitoring will support Scotland’s journey to net zero and beyond, thanks to a new partnership between the University of Stirling and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).  Read the full statement