Yorkshire Water fined £150,000 after sewage dumped at Doncaster nature reserve
It happened after problems at a sewage treatment works in March 2017
Yorkshire Water has been fined more than £150,000 after the company was found guilty of dumping sewage into a nature reserve near Doncaster.
It happened in March 2017 after problems at the Balby Sewage Treatment works.
Sewage sludge escaped the facility and ended up in the waters of the nearby the Potter Carr Nature Reserve.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reported that Mother Drain at the reserve, which is a site of Special Scientific Interest, had become discoloured and smelt of chemicals.
An Environment Agency inspection confirmed the pollution and found small pieces of toilet paper floating in the water.
Yorkshire Water Services Limited pleaded guilty to two offences and fined a total of £150,000, with an additional £36,506.25 in costs.
Yorkshire Water said a valve failure had led to a tank at the Balby works draining sewage sludge into a building and the surrounding area.
The company didn't contact officials at the Environment Agency as they thought the spillage had been contained on site.
A judge described the company as 'very negligent'.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
“Water companies are aware that their activities have the potential for serious environmental impacts, and they know that we will take appropriate action when they cause pollution.
“In this case Yorkshire Water has failed the environment, customers and the system of environmental laws the public puts its trust in.
“Polluters must pay, the Environment Agency will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that they do."