During February 2011, a report found that sewerage was found in the Elmbridge Brook below Fairfield and suggested that a sewer was overflowing. The sewer in question contained untreated ‘leachate’ from a nearby landfill site.
The sewer had been blocked by a large tree root that had grown through the sidewall. This was cleared by Severn Trent Water response crew and the sewer returned to operation on 12 February.
Ecological tests by the EA found dead invertebrate 800metres downstream of the pollution and high levels of ammoniacal nitrogen 4km downstream, which is potentially toxic to aquatic life.
The company pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined £25,000 and ordered to pay £5,262.26 in costs, along with a £15 victim surcharge.
In mitigation, the court was told that Severn trrent Water had shown full cooperation, and taken swift and effective remedial action.
Speaking after the case, an Environment Agency Officer in charge of the investigation said: “We take cases of pollution to watercourses seriously due to the environmental damage that can be caused.
“In this case, Severn Trent Water fell short of their responsibilities to maintain the sewer which led to the blockage, and so we did not hesitate to prosecute.”