United Utilities fined for polluting river
Water firm United Utilities has been fined for polluting river with raw sewage.
By Jessica Reeves
A large stretch of the River Medlock in Tameside has been hit by raw sewage that was discharged into the water system, Manchester Crown Court heard.
The Environmental Agency believe a worn-out nut on a door valve of a sewage tank caused the pollution.
United Utilities had been alerted of the issue, three days prior, but the fault had not been recognised. The water firm has been fined £666,000 for the pollution.
The fault meant the tank was not emptying the raw sewage as fast as it should have been resulting in contamination of the River Medlock.
Reports of sewage had already been reported on the Environmental Agency hotline back in October 2014 .
Mark Easedale, environment manager for Greater Manchester, said: " The case demonstrates just how important it is that water companies and wider industries maintain their equipment in order to prevent pollution to the environment.
"We appreciate reports from the public to the Environment Agency's incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 which allows our staff to respond swiftly to protect people, wildlife and the environment - also to investigate environmental offences which may have occurred.''
The leak had a significant impact on fish population and water quality.