The cost of failure to manage waste effectively

If an enforcement agency decides to prosecute or caution a defendant, it would consider the following factors  

Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 makes it an offence to cause or knowingly permit the pollution of waters. This offence is normally prosecuted under the cause category as this is an offence of strict liability and requires only proof that the offence occurred and the defendant caused it. The penalty can be 6 months imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 000 in the magistrates court or 2 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine in the Crown Court. 

Section 24 of the Water Resources Act 1991 prohibits abstraction of water from streams or the ground except in pursuance of a licence granted by the Environment Agency. This offence is punishable by a fine of up to 5000 or on indictment, an unlimited fine. 

Under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to deposit waste, or knowingly cause or permit waste to be deposited, in 

Penalties for offences imder section 33 are, on summary conviction (in a magistrates coiut), a fine of up to 20000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both and on indictment (in a Crown Court), a term of imprisoiunent of up to 2 years, or a unlimited fine or both. 

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