TABLE Nov ember 16.
I hope you will allow me to correct one statement in the otherwise
excellent article by Derek Douglas on the proposed hydrogeological
investigation of the former steelworks site at Ravenscraig (November
12).
It is not correct to say that underground disposal of toxic wastes was
halted in the 1970s by Government legislation. My board became extremely
concerned in the years around 1970 by the growing practice of many
industries in Lanarkshire to evade the river pollution controls by
disposing of their wastes through mineshafts and boreholes into the vast
network of underground mineworkings.
In particular, severe pollution of the North Calder water in 1970 by
distillery wastes 12 months after they were disposed of to an old
mineshaft alerted us to the dangers of this practice.
The board unsuccessfully requested the Government to legislate to end
this practice and eventually (against Government advice) promoted a
private Bill which became the Clyde River Purification Board Act, 1972.
It was thanks to this measure that we were able to bring this practice
to an end. Unfortunately, by this time, millions of tonnes of waste
liquids containing oil, ammonia, phenol, and cyanides had been disposed
of under the Ravenscraig site.
What my board is now seeking is a thorough investigation of the
present extent of these underground wastes, the likelihood of their
breaking out into adjacent watercourses, and of the remedial measures
which may be necessary to prevent pollution in the foreseeable future.
The proposals made to British Steel by Aspinwall will, I believe, meet
our requirements.
Professor D. Hammerton,
Director,
Clyde River Purification Board,
Murray Road,
East Kilbride.
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