Devro Scotland Fined £51,600 for Wastewater Pollution Causing Fish Deaths in Bothlin Burn

Devro (Scotland) Limited was fined £51,600 after nearly two million litres of sausage factory waste polluted Bothlin Burn in July 2021, leading to ammonia levels 350 times higher than environmental standards and devastating effects on local fish populations. The incident resulted from a blockage in the waste drainage system, causing a significant overflow into the river. The company has since improved its maintenance practices.

Published Mar 25, 2026

Devro (Scotland) Limited was fined £51,600 for discharging nearly 2 million litres of wastewater into Bothlin Burn, resulting in ammonia levels 350 times above environmental standards. The incident, which occurred in July 2021 due to a blockage in a waste pipe, affected a 6km stretch of the burn.

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Following complaints about the water's appearance and smell, an investigation revealed significant pollution and fish deaths. Despite a £100,000 clean-up effort, water quality remained poor for months. This is Devro's second conviction related to pollution of Bothlin Burn, prompting the company to enhance maintenance and drainage practices.