In a recent development, construction firm Costain Limited has been found to have breached its environmental permit, leading to the discharge of contaminated water into the River Don. An investigation conducted by the Environment Agency revealed that during construction work on the A19 at Testos roundabout, the company allowed contaminated water to be washed down highway drains and enter the river.
The incident, which occurred on December 6, 2019, was brought to light by an Environment Agency officer who observed a plume of sediment in the river. The contaminated water, which resulted from a road surface cleaning process, bypassed the company’s sediment treatment measures and led to a significant discolouration of the river over a distance of at least 500 meters.
Following the investigation, Costain Limited submitted an Enforcement Undertaking to the Environment Agency, which has now been accepted. An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary initiative taken by companies and individuals to rectify their environmental violations. In this case, the company has committed to making amends for its actions by donating to a wildlife charity that focuses on environmental improvements in the local area.
Josh Laidler, the investigating officer from the Environment Agency, emphasised the importance of adherence to environmental permits. He stated, “Companies carrying out major development work have a responsibility to ensure they abide by their permits to protect the local environment, and we will take action when pollution occurs.” Laidler also highlighted the effectiveness of Enforcement Undertakings in allowing companies to rectify their mistakes and contribute positively to the environment.
Costain Limited has taken steps to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The company introduced a new monitoring and maintenance regime, along with training for site staff. As a result, no further incidents have been reported, and there has been no evidence of long-term ecological damage to the River Don.
The company’s donation as part of the Enforcement Undertaking will be directed to the Tyne Rivers Trust, a registered environmental charity dedicated to improving water quality and conservation efforts in the River Tyne and its catchment area. The Tyne Rivers Trust’s projects will focus on enhancing the water quality within the River Don catchment.
