Anglian Water fined £300,000 after pollution kills fish in Essex river
Around 10km of the River Wid suffered major pollution back in 2016
Anglian Water has been fined £300,000 after being found responsible for polluting a 10km stretch of river in Essex.
The Environment Agency was alerted on 6 June 2016 to an incident at the Shenfield and Hutton Water Recycling Centre.
All three pumps at one of the pumping stations had failed following a fire and raw sewage was flowing out into the nearby River Wid.
Investigators estimated around 5,000 fish were killed by the pollution.
It was discovered that the pumps being used by Anglian Water were almost 40 years old.
Attempted were made to refurbish the pumps after a bearing failed in 2013. The pumps that failed in 2016 had not been refurbished.
The court found that whilst Anglian Water was on notice about the need for refurbishment, the fire was unexpected.
The company admitted to creating an unpermitted pollution discharge at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and was fined.
Andrew Raine, from the Environment Agency, said: “The fine handed to Anglian Water shows polluters are made to pay for damaging the environment.
“The fish population in this area suffered significantly because of this sewage pollution and it took time for the local ecosystem to recover.
“The public demand tough action when it comes to water quality and we are delivering. Anyone caught breaching environmental laws faces enforcement action, up to and including prosecution.
"We will always ensure the courts have all the information they need to impose appropriate sentences."