A PRINTING firm was fined £10,000 after polluting a pond with linseed oil.
Altovar, based in Thorpe Way, Banbury, was prosecuted after a complaint was received about pollution in water near the firm in July last year.
It was reported to the Environment Agency which traced the problem back to the company which makes printing inks and varnishes. Banbury magistrates heard that the water had turned black and there were thick mats of vegetable oil on the surface. A number of dead fish were also found but the pollution was contained behind a wall separating it from the main pond and the River Cherwell.
Environment Agency officers discovered oil leaking from a large tank and drainage system. Agency officer Rod Gould told magistrates the cause of the pollution was as a result of a build-up of oil due to "poor housekeeping".
He added: "Hopefully this will set an example to other businesses that we will not tolerate environmental pollution, particularly when advice is not heeded."
The firm, which pleaded guilty, was prosecuted under the Water Resources Act 1991 and it was also ordered to pay £2,370 legal costs to the Environment Agency.
No-one at Altovar was available for comment.
Story date: Thursday 18 November
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