Tag: SEPA

SEPA publish results from expanded PFAS monitoring programme

An expanded monitoring programme carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has detected PFAS in surface water and groundwater samples collected from sites across Scotland.  
 
The programme found PFAS at just under 90% of surface water sites monitored and around 60% of groundwater sites monitored. Higher concentrations were generally associated with locations where sources are already known or expected, including activities linked to higher PFAS use or emissions, such as airports and landfills.  
 
No samples exceeded relevant environmental or groundwater standards in this initial dataset.  
 
PFAS, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals”, have been used globally for decades in industrial processes and consumer products. Because they break down very slowly, they can remain in the environment for long periods and are now recognised internationally as a complex environmental challenge.  
 
SEPA have monitored PFAS in Scotland’s water environment since 2009, but in 2025 the organisation significantly expanded monitoring to include more sites across Scotland and a broader range of PFAS compounds.  
 
The pilot programme covered 97 surface water sites and 37 groundwater sites and was designed to provide a clearer picture of where PFAS are present in Scotland’s water environment. The findings will help identify where future monitoring, investigation and regulatory effort should be focused.  
 
The results provide an early indication of PFAS distribution across Scotland and contribute to a growing UK-wide evidence base supporting the development of future standards, guidance and approaches to managing PFAS.  


 
Professor Paul Dale, SEPA Chief Regulator, said: “PFAS are being detected more widely around the world and, given how extensively they have been used for decades, their presence in Scotland’s water environment is not unexpected.  
 
“It is understandable that people have questions about PFAS and what these findings mean. This expanded monitoring programme gives us a clearer understanding of where PFAS are present across Scotland and helps identify where further investigation and future regulatory effort may be needed.  
 
“Environmental monitoring helps us understand where substances are present in the environment, but monitoring data alone does not determine human health risk and should not be interpreted as evidence of direct impacts on human health.  
 
“PFAS are a complex environmental challenge that will require long-term action across governments, regulators and industry. By continuing to strengthen the evidence base, we can ensure future decisions are informed by the best available science and targeted where they will have the greatest environmental benefit.” 
 
SEPA will continue to expand monitoring and work with regulators, governments, industry and researchers across the UK to improve understanding of PFAS and support the development of future approaches to managing these substances.  
 
Monitoring will continue as part of a multi-year programme, with additional sampling planned in 2026 to further improve understanding of PFAS distribution across Scotland’s water environment. 

Dry weather conditions continue in the east of the country*

Abstractors are being urged to plan ahead as the risk of water scarcity across the east of Scotland remains.  

The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows Findhorn has reached Moderate Scarcity with the Dee (Aberdeen) raised to Alert level.  

This takes the number of areas in Moderate Scarcity to two; Findhorn and Tyne (Lothian) and the number of Alert levels to eight; Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tweed catchments.  

SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.  

  • Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.  
  • Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors. 
  • Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 

Despite the recent unsettled weather, the eastern coastal areas are experiencing more long-term dry conditions, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west. 

As river flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year with ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast becoming very dry, we will be contacting local abstractors regarding the situation giving them as much notice as possible to prepare ahead. 

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting. 

SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.  

Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “With warm and dry weather continuing in the east of the country, we are now starting to see the impacts of water scarcity with additional areas moving to Moderate Scarcity and Alert level.  

“Several eastern catchments are experiencing drier than normal conditions and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.    

“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.  

“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”  

Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website.

Bathing water season begins across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders

As Scotland’s bathing water season begins on 1st June, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will continue to monitor and provide information on 19 designated bathing waters across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders. 

Designated bathing waters are important local spaces supporting recreation, tourism and access to nature for communities and visitors across the region.

From urban bathing waters serving Edinburgh and surrounding communities to popular coastal destinations across East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, these sites play an important role in supporting health and wellbeing, local visitor economies and access to Scotland’s coastline.

Many of the region’s bathing waters are within easy reach of large population centres, providing accessible opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the water environment. 

Throughout the season, which runs until 15th September, SEPA will take regular water samples and provide information including water quality classifications, monitoring results and pollution risk forecasts to help people make informed choices about where and when to bathe. 

For the 2026 season, five bathing waters across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders are classified as excellent, eight as good, five as sufficient and one as poor. 

  • Broad Sands – Good 
  • Coldingham – Good 
  • Dunbar (Belhaven) – Good 
  • Dunbar (East) – Sufficient 
  • Eyemouth – Sufficient 
  • Fisherrow Sands – Poor 
  • Gullane – Excellent 
  • Longniddry – Good 
  • North Berwick (Milsey Bay) – Good 
  • North Berwick (West) – Good 
  • Pease Bay – Excellent 
  • Portobello (Central) – Sufficient 
  • Portobello (West) – Sufficient 
  • Seacliff – Excellent 
  • Seton Sands – Good 
  • Thorntonloch – Excellent 
  • Wardie Bay – Good 
  • White Sands – Excellent 
  • Yellowcraig – Sufficient 

Across Scotland’s 90 bathing waters, 47 are classified as excellent, 26 as good, 13 as sufficient and three as poor. One bathing water, Ballachulish Peninsula, was newly designated earlier this year and will receive its first classification at the end of this bathing season. 

Bathing water classifications are based on four years of monitoring data and are designed to provide a longer-term picture of water quality over time. 

Wet weather is one of the biggest factors affecting bathing water quality in Scotland. Heavy rainfall can temporarily affect bathing waters by washing pollution into rivers, lochs and coastal waters across wider catchments, while also influencing more localised sources such as surface water drainage and sewage discharges. For this reason, people are advised not to bathe during or one to two days after heavy rain. 

SEPA issues daily pollution risk forecasts at some bathing waters where water quality has previously been shown to be more vulnerable to short-term pollution following wet weather. Available on SEPA’s website and on electronic messaging signs at these locations, these forecasts advise the public whether conditions are likely to be good or whether there is an increased risk of temporarily reduced water quality. 

Scottish Water’s new real-time overflow map provides additional information on wastewater overflow activity. 

Water quality is influenced by activity across the wider catchment surrounding a bathing water. SEPA uses microbial source tracking techniques at some locations to help identify whether sources of pollution are linked to human waste, livestock, birds or dogs. This information can then be used to help locate pollution sources and direct improvements. 

Over the past 30 years, SEPA’s monitoring, scientific investigations and regulatory work have helped identify the sources of pollution affecting bathing waters and supported targeted improvements across Scotland. This work includes investigating pressures linked to wastewater infrastructure, whether public or private, urban drainage and rural diffuse pollution.

This evidence helps target action and investment where it is most needed and has contributed to sustained improvements over time. In 2015, Scotland had 17 bathing waters classified as excellent and 17 classified as poor.

For the 2026 season, 47 bathing waters are classified as excellent and three as poor, reflecting long-term improvements supported by monitoring, investigation and targeted action across Scotland. 

For the 2026 season, Fisherrow Sands remains classified as poor. 

Fisherrow Sands returned as a designated bathing water in 2023 following partnership work to improve water quality, including identifying and correcting misconnections alongside improvements to wastewater infrastructure. As a result of this work, Fisherrow Sands achieved a good classification. 

In 2024, the poor classification was mainly due to a single very high sample result, for which no clear cause was identified. In 2025, another high result was recorded, which microbial source tracking indicated was likely due to contamination from gulls. Assessment against the full four-year dataset at the end of the 2026 season will provide a clearer picture of long-term trends. 

Ruth Stidson, Principal Specialist Scientist at SEPA, said: “Bathing waters are important places for communities across Scotland and people rightly want clear information about water quality and the factors that can affect it.  

“SEPA’s monitoring, forecasting and investigative work help people make informed choices throughout the bathing water season, while also helping us better understand the pressures affecting Scotland’s bathing waters over time.

Improving water quality is not always straightforward. Conditions can be influenced by rainfall, wastewater infrastructure, runoff and activity across wider catchments and those pressures can vary from place to place.  

“For 30 years, SEPA’s scientific monitoring and evidence have supported long-term improvements at bathing waters across Scotland, and we continue to work with partners to identify pollution risks and target action where improvements are still needed.”  

People visiting bathing waters across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders can also help protect local water environments by disposing of litter responsibly, avoiding feeding gulls, clearing up after dogs and helping prevent sewer blockages by not flushing wet wipes, fats, oils and grease into drains and toilets. 

Information on Scotland’s bathing waters, including classifications, monitoring results, pollution risk forecasts and advice for visitors, is available on SEPA’s website throughout the bathing water season.

People across Scotland asked to help inform future plans by sharing their experiences of flooding

People across Scotland are being invited to share their experiences of local flooding issues to help inform how flood risk is managed in their communities, as work continues on Scotland’s next Flood Risk Management Plans.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) public consultation, launched on Wednesday 21st January, focuses on finding out about local flooding concerns in areas identified as having the highest flood risk. The feedback will help inform Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) covering 2028 to 2034, which will set out how Scotland reduces the impacts of flooding and builds resilience for the future.

Flooding is already affecting communities across Scotland, and climate change is increasing the likelihood of heavier rainfall and more frequent storms. SEPA’s most recent National Flood Risk Assessment (2025) shows that around 400,000 homes, businesses and vital services, around one in eight across Scotland, are currently in areas at medium risk of flooding. This number is projected to rise to around 634,000 by 2100 as the climate continues to change.

The FRMP consultation builds on work carried out in 2024, when Potentially Vulnerable Areas were reviewed, and consulted on, to identify where highest flood risk is most likely now and in the future. These areas help focus attention and investment where flooding is most widespread or complex, and where partnership working is essential to reduce impacts.

The current consultation marks the next step in that process, focusing on gathering local insight to ensure future plans reflect lived experience. Running until 22nd April, it asks communities to share their main flooding concerns and highlight projects, initiatives or actions already helping to manage flood risk.

The aim is to help develop Flood Risk Management Plans that support resilient, well-informed communities, recognising the role of individuals, organisations and partnerships alongside national agencies and local authorities in adapting to a changing climate.

Eleanor Cooper, SEPA’s Head of Environment Forecasting and Warning, said: “Flood risk in Scotland is increasing as our climate changes, and many communities are already experiencing the effects.

“The National Flood Risk Assessment published last year shows why it’s so important to plan ahead and work together to reduce the impacts of flooding.

“This consultation is about listening to communities and learning from local experience. By sharing concerns, experience and knowledge, people can help inform our understanding of flood risk in their area and support the development of flood risk management planning.”

The consultation is part of a two-stage process. A second, more detailed consultation will begin from December 2026, when further information on flood risk, objectives and proposed actions will be published in partnership with local authorities. The final Flood Risk Management Plans are due to be published in December 2027.

People can find out more and take part in the consultation at:

 Flood Risk Management Phase 1 Consultation – Scottish Environment Protection Agency – Citizen Space.

‘Plan ahead and look out for each other’: Swinney plea as winter bites

Resilience room updated on impacts of snowfall

The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) convened yesterday to discuss ongoing efforts to recover from the recent heavy snow in northern Scotland and preparations for further snow and ice warnings.

The meeting was chaired by Justice Secretary Angela Constance and attended by First Minister John Swinney, Cabinet Secretaries, the Met Office, transport operators, Police Scotland, local authorities, resilience partnerships and utilities companies.

First Minister John Swinney has asked people to continue to follow advice on staying safe in winter and thanked those involved in supporting others.

Mr Swinney said yesterday: “The cumulative impact of the heavy snowfall across northern Scotland has been significant and there has been a huge effort to keep transport moving and public services open.

“At present, there is still some travel disruption but trunk roads are open and rail, ferry and air services are working to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Likewise many schools are closed today but remote learning is in place for young people, while contingency plans are in place for affected health and social care services.

“There will be further snow and ice, with yellow warnings in large parts of Scotland and temperatures set to remain cold, so impacts will continue to be felt in the coming days which could include transport problems and I would encourage everyone to plan ahead, look out for each other and pay close attention to  the range of weather and travel advice available.

“I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard, day and night, to keep Scotland open and moving. Public services have been collaborating well in sharing information and vehicles, while I have heard of truly exceptional efforts by farmers, volunteers and members of the public offering to clear local roads, dig out cars and keep people safe. That community spirit is truly heartening to hear.

“Ministers will continue to keep the situation under review.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: “Local resilience partnerships are continuing to meet to co-ordinate and deliver the response to disruption experienced by communities in the north and north east of Scotland following heavy snowfall over the weekend.

“We have been working closely with resilience partners across local authorities, other emergency service partners, transport partners, NHS and health and social care partnerships, and other local organisations to support communities affected by adverse weather and keep public services open where possible.

“Some services may be impacted by adverse weather, and I would encourage the public to check on neighbours or relatives, if they are able to do so safely.

“Heavy snow and ice means driving conditions are likely to continue to be hazardous in some areas. Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary.

“If you need to travel, please fully clear your vehicle windows of snow and ice before you drive, drive to the conditions, be prepared for delays and allow extra time for your journey.”

Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.

Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website. 

Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.

One in eight properties across Scotland at medium risk of flooding

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) latest assessment of flood risk shows a sharp rise in number of properties at risk across the country.

The National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA) 2025 report reveals 400,000, or one in eight, homes, business and vital services are in areas of medium risk of flooding. Medium risk is where there is a greater than 0.5 likelihood of flooding each year.

This figure is up from 284,000 in 2018 and projected to reach 634,000 by 2100 due to climate change.

The NFRA is a strategic tool that provides a national picture of the risk of flooding in Scotland. For the first time it also shows where flooding will be deepest, not just where it will happen:

25,000 properties are at medium risk from the sea, with more than one in three homes in areas at risk of deeper flooding. Flooding from this source will see the largest proportional increase this century as sea levels rise and storm surges intensify.

84,000 properties are at medium risk of flooding from rivers, with 5,000 residential properties currently in areas of high-risk deep flooding of at least 30cm and set to double by 2100.

327,000 properties are at medium risk from surface water and small watercourses, a number set to grow by 200,000 by the end of the century – although flooding from this source is generally shallower.

The report estimates flooding costs are approaching £500 million each year and that figure is growing.

Eleanore Cooper, Head of Environmental Forecasting and Warning at SEPA, said: “Flooding is Scotland’s most severe climate-related risk. Communities from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands have lived with the impact of flooding for decades and, as our climate changes, those impacts are accelerating.

“The NFRA performs a key role in advancing our flood resilience, providing evidence to inform coordinated action on flooding and support decisions on investment for flood risk management.

“It gives us the clearest picture yet of what lies ahead and, ultimately, is a roadmap to better flood resilience.”

NFRA 2025 is the cornerstone for the implementation of Scotland’s Flood Resilience Strategy and the next cycle of flood risk management planning. It will help shape SEPA’s National Flood Risk Management Plans, which will be consulted on in early 2026, and the subsequent Local Flood Risk Management Plans, which will be published by Lead Local Authorities for local plan districts in 2028.

NFRA has benefited from richer property data, improved climate projections, and enhanced modelling methods, meaning comparisons with 2018 data isn’t straightforward – science and understanding have moved on.

Read the full National Flood Risk Assessment 2025 report on SEPA’s website. Supporting data will be published by SEPA in Spring 2026.

Have your say on improving Scotland’s water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are calling on Scots to have their say on the future of the nation’s water environment.  

The environmental regulator has launched a public consultation, Safeguarding Scotland’s Water Environment, about what it calls Significant Water Management Issues – issues that are having a significant adverse impact on the condition of the water environment and that it seeks to tackle.  

The water environment is one of Scotland’s most precious natural assets. It supports a rich diversity of wildlife, contributes to people’s health and wellbeing and provides for the sustainable growth of Scotland’s economy.  

Water experts at the agency have identified seven key focus areas for the next six-year water management cycle:  

  • rural diffuse pollution (the release of potential pollutants from a range of activities such as agricultural run-off) 
  • the physical condition of rivers
  • artificial barriers to fish migration (physical modifications to rivers built for water storage, navigation, water abstraction and crossings for road and rail transport)
  • sea lice from marine fish farms
  • water use (ensuring our water resources are resilient to a changing climate and managed within environmental limits)
  • wastewater and sewer networks 
  • chemicals in the water environment 

The consultation outlines the targeted work already underway to address these complex issues and sets out a recalibrated approach to achieving further vital progress with partners over the next period, in line with the evolving context.  

Input from members of the public and communities is essential to ensure plans reflect local experiences, practical solutions and a wide range of perspectives across Scotland.

Respondents can have their say on the Significant Water Management Issues and offer their thoughts on the role this work could play in supporting climate adaptation, nature recovery and health and wellbeing.  

Safeguarding Scotland2019s Water EnvironmentDownload

Rachel Harding-Hill, Head of Environmental Resilience and Enhancement at SEPA, said: “Protecting and improving our water environment as a vital natural asset is fundamental to Scotland’s efforts to build resilience to climate change and to ensure that the needs of wildlife, people and the economy can be met and safeguarded into the future. This requires ongoing effective management of the issues that are having a negative impact in a catchment-wide approach. 

“Our current proposals are at a formative stage, and we want to gather valuable evidence of the range of experiences and opinions, knowledge and ideas on this pivotal issue to inform our decision-making. 

“We know people across Scotland share our respect and aspirations for our water environment and we look forward to engaging with them at this key stage of our planning.”  

The consultation will feed into Scotland’s River Basin Management Planning (RBMP) – Scotland’s six-yearly framework for protecting and improving the water environment – which will be further consulted on in December 2026. The current RBMP cycle ends in December 2027.  

The Safeguarding Scotland’s Water Environment consultation is open now on SEPA’s consultation hub. Have your say at https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/water-unit/swmi 

Bathing waters continue to perform well across Scotland for 2026

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the 2026 bathing water classifications, showing the national picture across Scotland’s coasts and inland waters. The majority of designated bathing waters continue to meet high environmental standards, with 47 rated Excellent and 26 rated Good for the year ahead. 

A further 13 bathing waters are classified as Sufficient, and three coastal locations remain Poor. In total, 82% bathing waters achieve Good or Excellent, and 97% meet required standards, reflecting the progress delivered through regulation, investment and sustained partnership working since classifications were first introduced in 2015. 

As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA monitor water quality across all 89 designated bathing waters during the summer months from 15 May to 15 September, working with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities to identify issues and support action. Classifications are based on a four-year rolling dataset, meaning both long-term improvements and isolated high results can influence year-to-year changes. 

These results reflect that pattern. Several bathing waters have improved their classification and consistently strong results across the dataset reflect on the ground improvements. Others have moved down a category where one or more elevated results affected the four-year picture. Where necessary, SEPA will continue to focus improvement work at these locations to support recovery and long-term resilience. 

For the 2026 season, Kinghorn Harbour and Lower Largo in Fife and Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian remain classified as Poor. Each location is supported by a tailored improvement plan which can involve SEPA, Scottish Water, local authorities and land managers as appropriate. 

This work can include targeted investigations into pressures on local drainage and wastewater networks, action to tackle diffuse pollution, misconnection tracing and enhanced monitoring at key points in the catchment. SEPA will provide updates on progress at these sites ahead of the 2026 bathing season. 

Dr Ruth Stidson, Principal Scientist for Bathing Waters at SEPA, said: “Scotland’s bathing waters continue to perform well overall, with most achieving Good or Excellent status for the year ahead. The progress made over the past decade reflects significant investment and strong partnership working across the country. 

“As we look to the future, our priority is driving improvement at the most impacted locations and building resilience across the wider water environment.

“With changing weather patterns and increasing pressures on drainage and wastewater systems, ongoing regulation is essential – alongside collaboration with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities. 

“We are committed to reducing pollution at source, protecting public health, and providing clear, accessible information for everyone who enjoys Scotland’s waters.” 

Key city project nears completion

SCOTTISH WATER – ‘DRAINING THE RAIN’ ON CORSTORPHINE ROAD

A £3million project to help prevent wet wipes and other sewer related debris from entering the Water of Leith at Murrayfield in Edinburgh is nearly complete.

Since June, Corstorphine Road has been reduced to one lane while Scottish Water upgrades a key storm overflow, constructing a new spill chamber and screens.

Earlier this month a giant 20 tonne concrete ‘lid’ was lowered into place, marking a major milestone for the project.

Scottish Water Senior Project Manager Ethan Gillies Denning said: “Work has progressed well, despite challenging ground conditions and we are aiming to finish by early December.

“We are extremely grateful to road users and residents who have been patient throughout and have coped well with the disruption on their doorstep.

“We have worked closely with Murrayfield Stadium and Edinburgh City Council to make sure hundreds of thousands of fans have been able to get safely to major events such as the Oasis concerts.

“Similar arrangements are being made so that supporters should have no problems at the autumn rugby internationals that kick off this weekend.

“These projects can be difficult to deliver but once completed, the benefits will ensure the environment is protected for many years to come.”

The project is part of Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters programme, an additional £500million package of investment to improve the environment and make it more enjoyable for customers to explore their local area.

Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water has identified 108 high-priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement for water quality or aesthetic – sewer related debris – reasons.

Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment helps prevent sewage related debris such as wet wipes from entering the environment during periods of rainfall.

The project is being delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA).

Customer Manager Jennifer Renton said: “Work has progressed well despite some challenges along the way, and we sincerely appreciate the public’s understanding and patience throughout the process.

“We are proud and grateful to be part of Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters programme, an important investment in enhancing our environment for future generations.”

ExxonMobil Chemical Limited fined £176,000 for six days of flaring ‘that sounded like a jet engine’

ExxonMobil Chemical Limited was fined £176,000 at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday (28th October 2025) after pleading guilty to breaching its environmental permit during six days of continuous flaring at its Cowdenbeath site in April 2019. 

The conviction follows an extensive regulatory investigation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) involving specialist regulatory, technical, scientific and enforcement staff, which resulted in referral to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in July 2020. 

The flaring caused significant disruption to the local community, with SEPA receiving more than 900 complaints, the highest number ever for a single environmental event in Scotland. Residents described the noise as “like a jet engine” or a “blowtorch”, which left them unable to sleep. People were reluctant to go outside due to the noise and many referenced anxiety and the fear that something more serious, like an explosion, could happen. 

A loss of steam on 21st April 2019 forced ExxonMobil Chemical Limited to shut down operations at its Fife Ethylene Plant and flare around the clock for almost a week.  

SEPA’s investigation found that: 

  • Smoke from the elevated flare stack exceeded legal limits, with emissions darker than Ringlemann Shade 2 for 110 minutes – more than seven times the 15 minutes permitted.   
  • Significant noise pollution was caused, based on monitoring in the community and statements from residents. 
  • ExxonMobil Chemical Limited had processes and contingency plans that should have prevented the incident, but they were not followed to a high enough standard.  
  • Poor maintenance scheduling, a lack of understanding of the site’s steam balance, and failure to update risk analyses left the plant vulnerable, resulting in the shutdown and prolonged flaring.  

Ross Haggart, SEPA’s Chief Operating Officer for Regulation, Business and Environment, said: “For nearly a week, communities around ExxonMobil Chemical Limited’s site were impacted by unacceptable and preventable flaring, causing noise and disruption on a scale that was simply intolerable.  

“The scale of complaints, the highest number ever received by SEPA for a single environmental event, illustrates how many people were impacted by the noise, described as “like a jet-engine”, that disturbed sleep and caused fear and anxiety. 

“Our investigation found that ExxonMobil had processes in place that could have prevented this incident, but they were not followed to a high enough standard. Today’s result holds the company to account for these failures, and the serious impacts communities experienced.  

“While flaring is an important safety mechanism at facilities like this, it must be the exception rather than routine. Significant investment in new flaring infrastructure and operational improvements has been driven by SEPA’s programme of enforcement, and we will continue to keep a firm focus on compliance going forward.” 

SEPA’s twin-track approach 

SEPA have maintained a firm twin-track approach to compliance, ensuring the company is held to account while securing the technical improvements needed to address the root causes of unacceptable flaring. 

Through SEPA’s regulatory requirements, ExxonMobil Chemical Limited has made major investments including the installation of low-noise elevated flare tips and multi-million-pound upgrades to improve steam management, reduce risk and minimise the frequency and duration of flaring events. 

This approach demonstrates SEPA’s commitment to delivering accountability and long-term compliance, delivering tangible improvements for the community.