Reservoir owner fined for putting villagers at risk

The reservoir spillway, which was not maintained

A company which owns a Lancashire reservoir has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 after it was found to have failed safety checks and put nearby residents at risk.

Blue Lagoon Heritage Limited, of Bromsgrove, admitted failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued.

The company was served a notice by the Environment Agency in May 2021 to carry out safety measures under the supervision of a qualified civil engineer at Ward’s Reservoir, near the village of Belmont in east Lancashire, the court heard.

However, the court heard by October 2021 it had failed to carry out the work and weekly safety checks by the watchdog began.

'Unacceptable risks'

The Environment Agency said it had intervened to protect public safety in June 2022 by commissioning contractors to inspect and free the outlet valve.

This allowed levels in the reservoir to be managed and maintained at 5.25m (17.22ft) below the maximum top water level, significantly reducing its risk of failure, it said.

Karl Hunter, from the watchdog's national reservoir safety team, said the firm had ignored repeated warnings from experts, which "caused unacceptable risks to local residents and businesses in the village of Belmont and surrounding areas downstream of the reservoir".

At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, Blue Lagoon Heritage Limited was ordered to pay fines and costs of £5,445

Essential maintenance and construction works were also ordered.

The owners of all large raised reservoirs are regulated under the Reservoirs Act 1975 by the Environment Agency.

The act requires owners to maintain their reservoirs in full compliance with safety recommendations, set periodically by independent reservoir engineers.

Blue Lagoon Heritage Limited took ownership of Ward’s Reservoir in 2019.