Home / Environment / Sewage Fines Soar: Water Firm Pays £2.4M for Pollution
Sewage Fines Soar: Water Firm Pays £2.4M for Pollution
22 Sep
Summary
- Water company fined £2.4 million for sewage pollution in Kent.
- Approximately 70 dead fish found in Whitstable's Swalecliffe Brook.
- Company previously fined £7 million for earlier coastal discharges.
Southern Water has been ordered to pay £2.4 million in fines for environmental pollution incidents that occurred in Kent between 2019 and 2021. These incidents included untreated sewage being discharged into Swalecliffe Brook in Whitstable, where approximately 70 dead fish were discovered in August 2021. Further illegal dumping later that month led to public warnings against swimming at local beaches due to water quality concerns.
Earlier in July 2019, diesel leaked into Swalecliffe Brook and the sea from a failed generator at a wastewater treatment plant, again necessitating public health warnings. Another incident in March 2020 saw untreated sewage released into Faversham Creek for three days when pumps at a treatment station failed. The company admitted to five charges, resulting in the £2,416,666.67 fine, plus additional costs.
A spokesperson for Southern Water apologized for the events, attributing some occurrences to extremely heavy rainfall. They highlighted significant investments of over £35 million in the Swalecliffe area since April 2020 to enhance network resilience and stormwater storage, reporting a 36% reduction in storm overflows since 2023. The company expressed its commitment to continued investment and collaboration with regulators.
