4982

REPORT

To:

From:

Datę:

Subject:

Mr Erie Knowles, Managing Director of Teesdale Oiemicals pic Piotr Nowak, Persona! Assistant 27 May 2002

Discharging dangerous waste into the river

Introduction

Following your request, to investigate the problem of discharging dangerous waste into the river by our company, I have spoken to various departments within the company and received messages from Greenpeace and Conservancy Board. I have also got some information from our personnel, Firm’s Maintenance Engineer and Firm’s Chief AccountanŁ The problem lias been reported in local newspapers and radio.

Findings

1.    Iiwestigating the situation, it was estimated that 153,000 gallons of toxic materials had already been discharged into the river. There was also found the canse of this uncontrolled pollution. It is faul ty secondary pipę, which is taking waste from transport area. in several places. This pipę, which fractured in several is to blame for. But there some steps that liave been taken so far: transport section ceased functioning as a work unit. What's morę, all pumping of waste have been halted. The pumps are observed by experts all tlie time.

2.    Unfortunately, there were some reports about our company in local newspapers and radio - we are still threatened by numerous reporters. There is also a message received from Brent Rivers Authority, saying that they send experts and observers for urgent talks. Our company is called to stop process of waste disposal by Greenpeace. The Conservancy Board phoned us, informing that thousands of fish are already dead, and ordered to halt emission of waste. Our activity is extremely liazard for all wildlife on the river. The situation reąuires emergency help.

3.    Firm's Maintenance Engineer claims that it couldn't have happened. They were told of pipę stresses yesterday and the were planning to reinforce the pipę today. There is a notę from Personnel saying that the only solution is to halt production completely for the time being. Unessential Staff should be laid off for a week. Firm’s Cliief Accountant calculated tliat there will extreme losses for the company. It will cost at least 2 million pounds to contain the problem. This figurę does not include the cost of lost production, cost of wages, extra Staff, materials and possible law suits. Let’s hope that no person dies or serious epidemie ensues.

Recommendations

1.    The production must be halted immediately.

2.    There should be press conference organized, informing public opinion about taken protective activities.

3.    The Board ought to be wamed to aside 5 million pounds to cover exigencies.

4.    Information about futurę plans conceming environment protection should be sent to the Ecology Organizations.