Home / Environment / Herefordshire Sewage Plant Spills: Illegal Discharge Under EA Scrutiny
Herefordshire Sewage Plant Spills: Illegal Discharge Under EA Scrutiny
9 Apr
Summary
- Sewage plant overflows in Herefordshire have lasted over a month.
- Environment Agency states discharges from Kingsland plant are illegal.
- Dŵr Cymru faces potential enforcement action for ongoing pollution.
Untreated sewage has been illegally discharged from a Herefordshire wastewater treatment plant for over a month. Discharges from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water's Kingsland works into the Pinsley Brook, a tributary of the River Lugg, have been occurring daily since March 1. The Environment Agency (EA) has declared these discharges illegal as they are not permitted storm overflows.
The EA stated it is actively investigating the situation and will pursue enforcement action against Dŵr Cymru. The water company attributed the issue to high volumes of groundwater overwhelming the Kingsland plant's system. They described the spillage as a "heavily diluted" mix of rainwater and groundwater.
Campaigners have questioned Dŵr Cymru's plans to resolve the ongoing spillage. This incident follows a previous prosecution of Welsh Water last July for excessive sewage discharge from its Clehonger Sewage Treatment Works, which resulted in a £24,000 fine. The EA now uses online monitoring data from event duration monitors at storm overflows to hold water companies accountable.
