Thames Water ordered to pay £13,000 for pollution

Thames Water Utilities Limited (Thames Water) was fined £6000 for polluting the Bishopswood Stream in Tadley on or before March 6, 2011, after pleading guilty at a hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates Court last Wednesday (October 10).
The company was also ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £7,293 and a victim surcharge of £15.
The court heard how a blockage at a Thames Water public foul sewer caused sewage to discharge and overflow from an abandoned sewer into an inland freshwater pond and into the Bishopswood Stream.
A carpet of thick smelly sewage fungus spread downstream for 250 metres, causing a dramatic deterioration to both the downstream water quality and invertebrates in the stream, according to the EA.
During the investigation EA officers found that a sewage discharge due to a blocked public sewer had occurred in the same location in September 2010, however due to a lower water level in the pond, it had not overflowed into the stream at the time.
On that occasion Thames Water did not find the blockage and source of the pollution. The company put only temporary bungs in place and failed to investigate potential future problems.
The stream is under high priority to improve its ecological quality, due to a European Union directive to improve the status of the stream from moderate, to good, by 2027.
Alison Love, the investigating EA officer, said: “Rivers and water courses are an important part of the environment; they offer an essential resource for wildlife, fisheries recreation and commercial activities. Thames Water jeopardised this when they failed to investigate the initial sewage spill properly. This incident caused fairly significant environmental damage which could have been prevented.
“We’re pleased with the result of the court today. The Environment Agency will continue to work within local areas and with companies to protect river wildlife.
Thames Water spokesman, Craig Rance, issued the following statement:
"This pollution event was deeply regrettable and although we could not have predicted the blockage of fats, oils and grease or that it would have caused a spill from a pipe we did not know about that does not belong to Thames Water, we have accepted responsibility for the harm caused to the environment.
“We understand the seriousness of this case, which is reflected in our guilty plea, and have already addressed the way we work to try and prevent any similar pollution incidents in future."
The court’s outcome took into account the company have spent nearly £30,000 in remedial costs.
To report a pollution incident, contact the EA 24 hour hotline, telephone 0800 807060.