Environment probe launched into New Forest 'sludge dumping' claim
A WASTE firm has had its working relationship with Hampshire County Council suspended after it was accused of dumping sludge into a New Forest stream.
An investigation has been launched by the authority after an allegation was made against EEG, which offers sewer and drain drainage cleansing services.
It is said the alleged incident involved a Blue Scania EEG liquid waste truck that was spotted ejecting sluice down a bank between Beaulieu and Lymington last Monday.
A New Forest resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has come forward and revealed she made a complaint to the Environment Agency (EA) after witnessing the incident as she drove along the B3054.
She stopped her vehicle and challenged the workers who were wearing hi-vis jackets.
“I saw that the pipe was ejecting sludge from the truck, down the bank and into the stream,” she said.
“I stopped and asked one of them: 'What are you doing?' He said: 'It’s okay, we are just clearing out the cattle grid for the council, they say it's okay to dispose the waste in the stream'.”
Knowing it was illegal to dump waste directly into any watercourse, she returned shortly after and took photos of the sludge running down to the water course.
“I also noticed that the cattle grid had not been emptied!”
When the A&T contacted Hampshire County Council about the incident, its cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Rob Humby, said he had taken immediate action.
“We are very concerned to hear this and it is certainly not what we would expect of contractors and sub-contractors working with the county council,” Cllr Humby said.
“I have requested a thorough investigation and all operations with that particular sub-contractor have been suspended until the investigation is complete.”
An EA spokesman confirmed it had also launched an official probe.
“Environment Agency officers have visited the site and gathered evidence. The matter is now under investigation,” he said.
The A&T phoned the firm involved, EEG, to offer it the chance to comment but was told to make a press inquiry by email. This was sent to the email address the company gave on Tuesday.
However, by the time the paper went to press on Thursday there had been no acknowledgement or reply from the firm, which has its headquarters in Glasgow.
On its website EEG says it was founded in 1997 and is “one of the UK’s largest providers of drainage and sewer cleansing services, which also includes inspections and repairs”.
It adds: “Our drainage response teams consist of highly experienced industry professionals who always aim for first time resolution offering you a fast and effective response.
“We operate in highly regulated markets from multiple strategic sites across the UK and have established an enviable reputation for delivering superior environmental solutions to various industries such as the highways, rail, construction, local authority, and utility sectors.”
EEG’s service includes water jetting, surface cleansing, pipe remediation, repairs and patching and flow monitoring. It also provides civil engineering, ground and property maintenance, asset mapping and flood prevention.
The firm is registered with the Environment Agency (England and Wales) and SEPA (Scotland) as an Upper Tier Waste Carrier. It is also a member of the UK Water Jetting Association.
The EEG website goes on to claim it provides a “reliable service” that “we believe is unrivalled within the industry”.
It adds: “With an extensive fleet of rapid response vehicles fitted with the latest CCTV equipment, high pressure jetting technology, and also our experienced teams of highly skilled operators, we believe that we offer the complete one-stop solution to all of our customers’ needs.”
EEG’s nearest depot is based at East Portway Industrial Estate in Andover. It serves the south west region, which includes Hampshire and stretches from Cornwall to Oxfordshire.
