Statements : 2022
Flooding Outlook: Saturday 31st December 2022
Steer clear of flood water this Hogmanay and New Year
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.
Across Friday (30th Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Friday 30 December 2022
(Last updated: 6pm, Friday 30 December)
Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy rain overnight into Friday 30 December resulted in significant flooding from surface water and rivers in parts of southern and central Scotland. While many rivers have reached th Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Thursday 29 December 2022
Marc Becker, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy rain from around midnight on Thursday into Friday morning could cause flooding from rivers and surface water in central and southern Scotland. Impacts may include flooding in communities, properties and agricultural land. Disruption to the Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Sunday 20th November 2022
Vincent Fitzsimons, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:
“Across Sunday and into next week we’ll see intermittent showers as the clear-up continues. Recent days have shown real resilience from families, communities, businesses and partners across the country with how they responded. Localised surface water flooding of land and transport rou Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Saturday 19th November 2022
Pascal Lardet, SEPA’s Flood Duty Manager, said:
“As anticipated, this was a serious and significant flood event, particularly in the North-East. The event was similar in magnitude to 2016’s Storm Frank, with record high river flows which are now receding.
“In the South Esk at Brechin we saw the highest river level on record*, wit Read the full statement
Flooding outlook - Friday 18 November
Vincent Fitzsimons, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy and persistent rain overnight has led to significant increases in river levels across the east of Scotland. We have seen almost a month’s worth of rain in some parts already this week and we are expecting around the same again over t Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Thursday 17 November
David Faichney, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“A period of persistent and heavy rain is forecast across much of eastern Scotland from Thursday evening into Friday afternoon.
“Surface water and river flooding impacts are possible from eastern Borders to Aberdeenshire on both days. On Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Thursday 8 September – Saturday 10 September
Pascal Lardet, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“After the heavy rain experienced across Fife and Perthshire in the early morning, further heavy and potentially thundery showers are expected, particularly across central and eastern parts of Scotland throughout Thursday. Another band of pe
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Flooding Outlook: Wednesday 7 – Thursday 8 September
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Scotland will see a continuation of unsettled weather on Wednesday, with further heavy showers and thunderstorms expected, particularly across central and southern areas. These are expected to continue into Thursday, with eastern Scotland s
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Flooding Outlook: Saturday 3 – Monday 5 September
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy rain has fallen in southwest Scotland overnight, with further pers Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook: Friday 2 – Sunday 4 September
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said:
“Heavy rain is expected in southwest Scotland on Friday evening, becoming more persistent throughout Saturday and continuing into Sunday.
“The main areas of concern are Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Arran and the Inner Hebrides. S Read the full statement
One year until Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme goes live: is your business ready?
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme goes live to consumers on 16 August 2023. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), who will regulate the scheme, is urging businesses to find out what it means for them and take the necessary action to prepare.
The industry-led scheme gives producers a leading role in the management and colle
Read the full statement
Pollok Country Park : Blue-Green Algae (Sat 23 July 2022)
Following reports on Saturday morning (23rd July 2022) of blue-green algae at Pollok Country Park, SEPA issued the following statement:
A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:
“Blue-green algae can be common at this time of year and develops during the warmer months. Blooms can sometimes be attrib Read the full statement
SEPA removes advice against bathing at Eyemouth – 15 July
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has updated its advice on paddling or bathing at Eyemouth after water quality samples showed no risk to the public.
A sample taken at Eyemouth bathing water on Thursday, 14 July, gave excellent results and SEPA’s bathing water electronic sign has returned to daily water quality predict
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Advice against bathing at Eyemouth bathing water - July 13
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been informed of a burst in a sewage pipe at Eyemouth on Tuesday, July 12. Scottish Water also notified SEPA of this incident and has been undertaking repairs, stopping the burst which was visible to the public. SEPA’s bathing water signage at Eyemouth has been updated to advise against bathi Read the full statement
Saltcoats Bathing Water update June 29 2022
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has updated its advice on paddling or bathing at Saltcoats.
Following further sampling of the sea water, SEPA’s bathing water electronic signage at Saltcoats has returned to reflecting daily water quality predictions
Read the full statement
Marine pen fish farm charges
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has released a statement below following the approval of proposals to increase application and activity charges for marine pen fish farms.
Peter Pollard, SEPA’s Head of Ecology, said:
“In 2019, we introduced a strong and globally ambitious revised regulatory regime and an a Read the full statement
Saltcoats Bathing Water update June 24 2022
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is continuing to advise against paddling or bathing at Saltcoats.
Earlier this week, Scottish Water informed SEPA of an issue at Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station due to a burst on a nearby rising main. As part of the repair works, it was necessary for an emergency, screened discharge t
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Advice against bathing at Saltcoats bathing water
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has been informed by Scottish Water of an issue at Saltcoats Sewage Pumping Station due to a fault in a nearby rising main. Scottish Water has been undertaking repairs, which required an emergency discharge to the sea at Stevenston. This began on Wednesday 22 June and SEPA’s bathing water signage Read the full statement
SEPA cyber recovery update
On Tuesday, 5th April 2022, SEPA confirmed that work to summarise the cost of the December 2020 cyber-attack by international serious and organised criminals, had been completed.
Jo Green, Acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said:
"Following a significant cyber-attack by international serious Read the full statement
Statement on the development of a hydrology roadmap for the UK
The flood hydrology roadmap sets out a vision for flood hydrology in the UK for the next 25 years. It is accompanied by an action plan that details how that vision will be achieved.
The roadmap will cover England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 2021 to 2046. It considers all sources of inland flooding, including fluvial, pluvia Read the full statement
£1.2M Diageo Civil Penalties
On 8 March 2022 a Reporter appointed by Scottish Government Ministers issued a determination in an appeal by Diageo Scotland Ltd against civil penalty notices served by SEPA.
Jamie McGeachy, Carbon Reduction, Energy and Industry Manager, SEPA, said:
“SEPA is clear that compliance is non-negotiable.
“SEPA issued Diageo with c Read the full statement
Statement on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report
Jo Green, Acting Chief Executive at Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: "This report from the IPCC is a stark warning about the consequences our planet faces and of the urgent, bold, effective action required to be taken.
"The climate emergency is accelerating and risks for society will increase, including to infrastructur Read the full statement
River Esk Pollution Incident - Wednesday 23 February
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is investigating oily residue and odour along the tributary of the River Esk, Musselburgh on Wednesday 23 February.
Multi-agency work is continuing at the site following the pollution event on Friday 14 January, but there is no evidence of a new pollution incident.
Initial enquiries Read the full statement
Flood outlook for Sunday 20 February 2022
David Faichney, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“SEPA has issued a number of regional Flood Alerts and local Flood Warnings. Strong winds associated with Storm Franklin will continue over the course of today and into tomorrow (Monday 21 February) impacting northern and western coastlines - bringing Read the full statement
Flooding outlook - Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February 2022
David Faichney, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Storm Eunice has passed but another period of wet and windy weather follows closely behind and will impact Scotland overnight and into Sunday 20 February. This brings a risk of coastal flooding and wave overtopping along south west coastlines and aro Read the full statement
Flooding outlook - Friday 18 February
David Faichney, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Storm Dudley has now passed, but Storm Eunice follows closely behind and will impact Scotland on Friday 18 February. There will be a risk of coastal flooding and wave overtopping as strong winds and storm surge coincide with a period of high spring t Read the full statement
Storm Eunice flooding update for Friday 18 February
David Faichney, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Following the impacts from Storm Dudley earlier this week, Storm Eunice will reach Scotland on Friday 18 February. It brings a risk of coastal flooding and wave overtopping as strong winds and storm surge coincide with a period of high spring tides.< Read the full statement
Flooding outlook - Wednesday 16 February
Pascal Lardet, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Storm Dudley and then Storm Eunice will impact Scotland from Wednesday 16 February, bringing a period of very unsettled weather through until next week. There will be a risk of coastal flooding and wave overtopping as strong winds combined with storm Read the full statement
River Esk update 28 January 2022
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and East Lothian Council are continuing to work together to respond to the pollution incident which occurred in the River Esk at Musselburgh on 14 January.
Close analysis and monitoring of the river highlights that the situation continues to improve with the appropriate controls and measures havi Read the full statement
Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Leadership arrangements
Scottish Environment Protection Agency: Leadership arrangements
On Friday, 21st January 2022, Bob Downes, Chairman of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency confirmed that following conduct allegations, Terry A’Hearn has stepped down and left his position.
Downes
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River Esk Pollution Incident - Friday 21 January
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and East Lothian Council are continuing to work together to respond to the pollution incident in the River Esk at Musselburgh on Friday 14 January.
In recent days the specialist contractor, brought in by the council to support clean-up work, has installed and renewed booms in the watercourse whic Read the full statement
River Esk Pollution Incident - Wednesday 19 January
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and East Lothian Council are continuing to work together to respond to Friday’s pollution incident in the River Esk at Musselburgh.
The specialist contractor, brought in by the Council to support clean-up work, has continued to renew booms in the watercourse which are designed to contain contamin Read the full statement
River Esk Pollution Incident - Tuesday 18 January
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and East Lothian Council are continuing to work together to respond to Friday’s pollution incident in the River Esk at Musselburgh.
East Lothian Council arranged for further booms and inspections to be put in place earlier today to contain material, monitor and further protect the environment.
Read the full statementRiver Esk pollution incident - Sunday 16 January
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and East Lothian Council are continuing to work together to respond to a pollution incident in the River Esk at Musselburgh, with a contractor being brought in to support clean-up work at the likely source.
On Friday 14 January an East Lothian Council Countryside Ranger spotted an unusual residue Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook – Thursday 6 January 2022
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“More strong winds combined with spring tides, surge and waves may lead to some flooding impacts tomorrow, Thursday 6 January, along the Scottish coastline, particularly across Western Isles, Orkney, and the southwest of Scotland. Flooding impacts coul Read the full statement
Flooding Outlook – Tuesday 4 January 2022
Mark Franklin, Flood Duty Manager for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said:
“Strong winds combined with spring tides, surge and waves may lead to some flooding impacts today, Tuesday 4 January, along the Scottish coastline, particularly across Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland and the north. Flooding impacts could include locali Read the full statement