On 2 July 2013, Severn Trent Water Ltd pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court to one charge of breaching the condition of their Environmental Permit, resulting in the pollution of Cotgrave Brook, Nottingham. The charge was brought by the Environment Agency contrary to Regulation 38(2) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010.

The company was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £3,015.25 in costs. Environment Agency Prosecutor, Sheila Abrahams, told the court that on 15 December 2011, a malfunction of the sand-filters at the Severn Trent Water (STW) Cotgrave sewage treatment works, caused discharge of untreated sewage to pollute 1km of the Cotgrave Brook. The operation of the Severn Trent Water Cotgrave sewage treatment works is authorised by an environmental permit, giving them a responsibility to ensure their sewage treatment works are operated and maintained in a way that minimises their impact on the environment.

The STW had previously been given three formal written warnings for similar breaches in October 2011.

Speaking after the case, Vicky Laycock, Environment Agency officer in charge of the investigation, said: “Although Severn Trent Water reported the discharge to us immediately, it was too late to prevent the pollution of the Cotgrave Brook. We do everything we can to protect the environment, local rivers and watercourses. This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to prosecute as necessary when environmental damage is caused.”

In mitigation, Severn Trent Water apologised for the breach of their permit and admitted that they could have done more. As a result of the earlier incidents in October 2011 Severn Trent Water Limited had sought and acted upon advice from Sand Filter Specialists, they had adjusted the low flow alarms at the sewage treatment works so they alarmed earlier and they commissioned other contractors to flush and clean the sand filters. Since the incident in December 2011 they have now fitted alarms to the storm tanks, sample the sand filters weekly and visit the works on a daily basis. The cost of these works amounts to £17,000. Rivers and watercourses are an important part of the environment, and there is an increasing awareness of the necessity to preserve them from pollution.

If you see pollution or a waste crime incident, report it on our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.