Severn Trent hopes its successful prosecution of a firm that discharged excess trade effluent into its network will act as a clear deterrent to others.
The UK’s second-biggest water company brought the action, under section 121 of the Water Industry Act, against Black Country firm Star Polishing and Plating. It was fined £3,600, ordered to pay costs of £4,256 and a victim surcharge of £170, during a hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court earlier this month.
Samples, taken in January last year, revealed nickel and chromium exceeding agreed consent levels in waste being discharged into the sewer. The PH level was also found to be 5.4 – outside agreed limits of 6 to 11.
Tom Haighton, Commercial Waste Manager for Severn Trent which serves 4.5 million domestic and business customers across England and Wales, said the fine reflected the seriousness of the offence.
“It’s ultimately our customers who pay for damage to our sewer network and treatment works, and we hope this prosecution makes it clear that illegal discharges will be acted upon.
“We work closely with businesses across the region to prevent breaches occurring in the first place, and a prosecution like this is always a last resort but also an important deterrent.”