Shropshire fertiliser company forced to upgrade infrastructure after claims pollution levels 'pose a risk'
A fertiliser company has been forced to upgrade its infrastructure after being reported for high pollution levels by the Environment Agency.
Landowner Liquid Fertiliser in Much Wenlock will see 11 of its remaining underground storage tanks checked on a regular basis after the agency claimed they pose a risk to the River Severn.
The company, based in Farley, appealed against the agency's claims but following a hearing during the summer the planning inspector upheld the notice, with modifications, ruling the site constituted a very high risk to the River Severn catchment.
The company has previously been ordered to empty 10 of its tanks after a previous notice had been served in August 2013.
Jessica Campbell, from the Environment Agency, said: "The requirements of the notice include reporting stock levels held within the tanks to the Environment Agency on a monthly basis.
"The company must also empty and test four specified tanks within seven months and submit a plan to empty and test all remaining tanks within a three year period.
"If the four tanks are assessed to have a life of less than 10 years they must be sealed off within 12 months or they must install a suitable secondary containment system."
The notice also requires the operators to submit a risk management plan and a scheme for emergency secondary containment.
If the operator fails to carry out the testing regime, the Environment Agency will be able to serve a notice for the tanks to be emptied within a year.
"Throughout this time, the first notice has remained in force and we believe 10 of the underground tanks are now empty," said Ms Campbell.
"While the remaining underground tanks remain in their current use there is still a potential pollution risk from the site.
"The Environment Agency and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has developed and agreed an emergency response plan, which will be put in to action should an incident occur.
"Throughout 2013, we had been working with the operator to reduce the risk of pollution from the site.
"We will continue to offer advice and guidance to the operator and monitor the site to ensure the notice is complied with and the pollution risk is minimised."
A spokesman for Landowner Liquid Fertiliser, which also includes the business Quality Liquid Feeds Ltd, said: "The Environment Agency sought to close 11 tanks by means of the second notice but were unsuccessful.
"The inspector modified the notice to allow the continued use of the 11 tanks, subject to an ongoing testing regime."
