Statements : 2018
Flood Outlook - 7 - 8 December 2018
Vincent Fitzsimons, Duty Flood Manager for SEPA, said:
Unsettled conditions may result in coastal and river flooding impacts across many areas, specifically the west and south west of Scotland during today and Saturday.
Strong winds and high astronomical tides will create a combination of storm surge and wave impacts for coastal ar Read the full statement
Flood Outlook for Friday 7 December
Vincent Fitzsimons, Duty Flood Manager for SEPA, said:
Unsettled conditions may result in coastal and river flooding impacts across many areas, specifically the west and south west of Scotland, during Friday.
Strong winds and high astronomical tides will create a combination of storm surge and wave impacts for coastal areas in the Read the full statement
Flood Outlook - Friday 9 November
Regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings are in place in South West, Central, North and North East Scotland.
A band of heavy rain will cross Scotland from late afternoon, clearing overnight. In particular, it will affect Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, Central and Tayside areas.
Localised surface water flooding issues Read the full statement
Flood Outlook - Saturday 3 November
Marc Becker, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA, said:
Read the full statement
Flood Outlook - Friday 2 November
Marc Becker, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA, said:
“Persistent rainfall is expected to cause surface water flooding across parts of western Scotland from late Friday night to Saturday evening.
“The areas expected to see the most impacts are Skye and Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Wester Ross and western areas of Tayside and Central Sco Read the full statement
Flood Outlook - 13 October
David Faichney, SEPA Duty Flood Manager, said:
"We are seeing an improving situation as the impacts of Storm Callum reduce with the main band of rain moving through by the end of the afternoon.
Today potential impacts will be focused across southern Scotland with some risk of river and surface water flooding in Dumfries and Gallowa Read the full statement
Flood outlook – Friday 12 October
David Faichney, SEPA Duty Flood Manager, said:
"Storm Callum has now reached Scotland and we have already seen an increase in wind and rain across the country. SEPA is expecting flooding impacts from the rain across much of Scotland and from the wind in coastal areas.
“As of Friday morning there are five Flood Alerts in place for A Read the full statement
Flood outlook - Thursday 11 October
Vincent Fitzsimons, SEPA Duty Flood manager, said:
"As Storm Callum reaches Scotland on Friday we will see an increase in wind and rain over most of Scotland through the weekend. SEPA is expecting flooding impacts from the rain across much of Scotland and from the wind in coastal areas.
"Prolonged heavy rain is expected across much Read the full statement
Flood outlook – Tuesday 9 October
Marc Becker, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA, said:
"Heavy and persistent rain falling on saturated ground is expected to cause continued isolated flooding of low-lying land and roads across western Scotland today. The rain is expected to ease off throughout Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. Rivers will remain high in areas that expe Read the full statement
Updated flood outlook - Monday 8 October
Marc Becker, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA, said:
"Heavy and persistent rain falling on saturated ground is expected to cause isolated flooding of low-lying land and roads across western Scotland this evening and into tomorrow.
"The areas expected to see the most impacts are Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, particularl Read the full statement
Healthcare Environmental Services
A spokesperson from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said:
SEPA is aware of developments in England and is working closely with the Environment Agency. SEPA is clear that compliance is non-negotiable and has been robustly monitoring sites in Scotland.
On 12th September SEPA issued Enforcement Notic Read the full statement
Flooding and water scarcity
With rain forecast for Scotland this weekend, parts of the country could see the unusual situation of surface water flooding while being in an area of significant water scarcity.
The current water scarcity situation has been built up over a long period of time. Over the last six months w Read the full statement
Practical advice for regulated businesses on responsible water use as dry weather continues
As many of us continue to enjoy the current and recent prolonged periods of sunny weather, less rainfall can of course mean lower river and loch levels.
While public water supplies continue to operate normally, it’s important to be conscious of our natural river supplies and how we use them.
With warm, dry temperatures set to cont Read the full statement
Practical advice for regulated businesses on responsible water use
As many of us continue to enjoy the current and recent prolonged periods of sunny weather, less rainfall can of course mean lower river and loch levels.
While public water supplies continue to operate normally, it’s important to be conscious of our natural river supplies and how we use them.
With warm, dry temperatures set to cont Read the full statement
Storm Hector - 13 / 14 June 2018
David Faichney, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA, said:
“Storm Hector is on its way with widespread heavy rain affecting western areas of Scotland on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
“On Thursday, gale force winds will increase wave heights around high tide, particularly in the Solway Firth and Firth of Clyde, which may result i Read the full statement
Flood outlook - Friday 1 June, 2018
Vincent Fitzsimons, SEPA's Head of Hydrology and Flooding Services, said:
"Flood Alerts are now in place for much of the country. We are expecting localised thundery downpours from late Friday morning and throughout the weekend. These downpours, which will be intense but very localised, could occur almost anywhere in Scotland Read the full statement
Flaring at ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd Mossmorran - Sunday 20 May
SEPA was notified on Saturday 19 March by ExxonMobil Chemical Limited at Mossmorran in Fife that flaring was required due to a mechanical issue with an onsite pump.
Flaring is an important part of the safety system of the plant and is used to burn off gas that cannot be processed safely due to the volumes involved or the gas being off spe Read the full statement
SEPA response to Sunday Times Aquaculture Article
Anne Anderson, Chief Officer, Compliance and Beyond, at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:
“SEPA is committed to protecting and enhancing Scotland’s environment and following a 2017 consultation and review of international regulation, SEPA will shortly announce firm, evidence based proposals to further strengthen the Read the full statement
SEPA supporting renewables innovation and collaboration
Reproduced with permission from Herald Scotland
Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
The scale of environmental challenge facing humanity is enormous, with a real urgency to act. At the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, we’re det Read the full statement
Flood Outlook - 2 April
Marc Becker, Duty Flooding Manager for SEPA,
said:
“This week will see another period of unsettled weather, starting with the arrival of rain and snow across much of southern Scotland today and overnight into Tuesday.
“In particular today, disruption is possible along the Solway Firth coastline as high spring tides com
Read the full statement
Blairgowrie man sentenced for keeping illegal landfill site
Alistair Roy, from Blairgowrie, was sentenced to a Community Payback Order to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work at Perth Sheriff Court on 26 March 2018.
From 1 May 2014 to 4 February 2016 at an insecure site in Winterpark, by Marlee Mill, Blairgowrie, Mr Roy kept, illegally deposited and disposed of waste. The waste was spread over an Read the full statement
Removal of the disused Creamery Weir boosts salmon population
In autumn 2016, the old Creamery Weir, close to Twynholm in Dumfries and Galloway, was removed in a partnership between SEPA's Water Environment Fund (WEF) and Galloway Fisheries Trust. The 3.5m high barrier had not been maintained for many years and was a barrier to natural fish migration. Since the weir was removed survey results have shown a Read the full statement
Flood outlook - 7 March
Marc Becker, SEPA's Duty Flooding Manager said:
“The ongoing thaw of snow, is likely to cause localised flooding of low-lying land and roads over the next few days. This may cause disruption to travel and is expected to largely affect eastern areas of Scotland, from Aberdeenshire through to Fife and the Borders.
“Rivers have genera Read the full statement
Flood outlook - 06/03/18
Marc Becker, SEPA's Duty Flooding Manager said:
“As further bands of rain and snow move across the country today, some southern, central and eastern parts of Scotland could see minor disruption from isolated flooding due to a combination of rainfall and gradual snowmelt throughout today and into Wednesday 7th March.
Read the full statement
Flooding outlook - 05/03/18
Marc Becker, SEPA's Duty Flooding Manager said:
"A combination of some persistent rainfall with snowmelt means there is a risk of minor localised flooding across parts of Scotland, from today through to Wednesday, with a focus on low lying land and roads.
“Affected areas are expected to include, Dumfries and Galloway, West Central Read the full statement
Protecting water quality at Loch Gairloch
“Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment, including Loch Gairloch.
Since May 2016, SEPA has been scrutinising a proposal by Scottish Water for water treatment at Gairloch Sewage Treatment Works. SEPA experts in water quality have assessed the impact of the proposed treatment system and are satisfied that an appr Read the full statement
Office Closures: weekend update
The extreme weather has produced huge challenges and the commitment of our staff has ensured that essential services, including SEPA’s Contact Centre, continue to be delivered to our communities.
The following SEPA offices remain closed today (Friday 2 March) and across the weekend:
- Angus Smith Building
- Arbroath Read the full statement
Office Closures update
The Met Office has updated its weather warnings for Scotland, which can be viewed here, with the Amber warning remaining in force until 10am on Friday.
SEPA’s emergency management team met again today and having reviewed guidance from the Met Office, Scott Read the full statement
SEPA Office Closures: Wednesday 28 February & Thursday 1 March
The following SEPA offices closed at 2pm today (Wednesday 28 February) and will remain closed tomorrow (Thursday 1 March).
- Angus Smith Building
- Balloch
- Edinburgh, Silvan House
- Glasgow
- Glenrothes
- Stirling
In addition, a decision has also been made to shut the following offi Read the full statement
Sunday evening flood outlook
Another round of heavy rain is forecast to track over northwest and central Scotland this evening with the potential to cause localised flooding from rivers to agricultural land and isolated properties.
Dependent on the distribution of the heaviest rain, area’s within Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside, Easter Ross and the Great Glen,
Read the full statement
Weekend flood outlook – 27th / 28th January
Wet wintry weather is forecast to continue over the weekend with showers throughout today and Sunday morning expected to keep river levels high in areas affected by flooding last week, such as Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
On Sunday afternoon, our attention turns to more persistent rainfall in northwest and central S
Read the full statement
Flooding update for 24 January
Marc Becker, SEPA’s Duty Flood Manager, said:
“River levels have responded to rain and snowmelt overnight in parts of the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Communities along the Clyde Valley, the River Nith (the Whitesands area of Dumfries and New Cumnock) and communities in the Borders have been the worst affected, although at Read the full statement
Heavy rain and snow melt
Persistent rainfall across many areas of Scotland has combined with melting snow to cause a sharp rise in river levels throughout today, particularly in areas of Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders and Tayside.
Further heavy rainfall is expected to move across the country overnight, with rivers in western parts of Tayside and the Scot Read the full statement
SEPA responding to incident at Goathill Quarry, Cowdenbeath
20/01/18, 21:00 HRS
Officers from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) this evening responded to an incident at Goathill Quarry, Easter Bucklyvie, Cowdenbeath.
Officers joined colleagues from Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Fife Council following reports of a thick black substance affecting Read the full statement
Cromarty Firth oil rigs
On 12th January, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued an immediate direction preventing the movement of vessels located at the Cromarty Firth pending investigation.
John Kenny, Chief Officer, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Every day SEPA works to Read the full statement
Coastal Flooding update - 03/01/18
Pascal Lardet, Flood Unit Manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
"High tide levels coupled with stormy weather have caused disruption to coastal communities and road infrastructure along the Solway Coast overnight in the wake of Storm Eleanor, with the potential for further minor impacts expected as the next high-ti Read the full statement
Flood Alert issued for Dumfries & Galloway
High tides combined with a large storm surge are expected throughout the region on Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon. Coastal communities and roads may witness flooding during times at and around high tides over this period.
The exact track of the low pressure weather system is still uncertain, therefore precise surge levels remain d Read the full statement