South West Water have been fined a total of £11,250 for polluting a stream with sewage. A case was brought by the Environment Agency after a member of the public saw waste leaking into a tributary of the East Looe River in Cornwall. The incident occurred in July 2007, near the town of Liskeard.
When the leak was reported, an Agency officer visited the scene and found South West Water employees working on the sewer. The pipe was blocked, causing sewage to overflow into the stream. According to the Agency, an ecological survey of the area showed the discharge had resulted in a "thick and extensive growth of sewage fungus on the bed of the stream." This stretched for about a mile, indicating that the discharge had continued over a period of time. The survey also showed that the stream's insect life had been adversely affected.
The company pleaded guilty to causing sewage to enter controlled waters. Stuart Gee from the Agency said, "It is important water companies ensure their sewage systems are compliant and do not pollute nearby watercourses. Chris Mills of South West Water responded by saying his company had accepted responsibility and have arranged a clear-up of the stream and unblocked the sewer. "Since the incident last July, there have been no further blockages and the overflow and the downstream are being cleaned on a monthly basis."
