Water firm pays £50,000 pollution fine to charity

A burst pipe meant treated chlorinated water and silt flowed into Monkton Burn

A water company will pay £50,000 to an environmental charity after a burst pipe polluted a small river.

In August 2020, Northumbrian Water reported to the Environment Agency (EA) that a water main had burst, spilling silt and chlorine into Monkton Burn in Jarrow, South Tyneside.

Northumbrian Water have apologised and said clean drinking-standard water was discharged, rather than waste water.

The money will go to the Tyne Rivers Trust to help improve the Tyne catchment and water quality, the EA said.

The EA said there was no danger to life at the time, and the pollution has had no long-term impact on the burn.

The burst water main was part of a network that supplied water to households in Washington, Sunderland, South Shields and Jarrow, with this pipe supplying 8,500 properties in Sunderland.

People affected at the time saw a reduction in water pressure, and were asked to minimise water usage during the repairs.

Northumbrian Water purchased hand-held equipment to monitor chlorine levels after the spillage, the EA said

The day after Northumbrian Water reported the burst pipe, an environment officer recorded extensive deposits of silt on the banks and bed of Monkton Burn, with pollution affecting more than 500m (1,640ft) of the burn, the EA said.

The water company repaired the section of pipe and installed temporary pollution control and remediation measures.

Northumbrian Water submitted an enforcement undertaking, a voluntary offer made by companies or individuals to make amends for their offending, to the EA, which they accepted.

A spokesperson for Northumbrian Water, said: “We are very sorry that this happened, and as soon as the burst water main was reported, our teams acted quickly to carry out repairs.

“Unfortunately, sometimes burst pipes on our network cannot be helped, and can be caused by a range of different things including changes in weather or pressure.

“We work incredibly hard to avoid all pollution incidents. However, in the very rare event something like this should occur, we support the use of Enforcement Undertakings which allow the local community to benefit from the funding offered.”

'Held to account'

Environment Agency land and water team leader Graham Siddle said: "Water companies have a responsibility to avoid unpermitted discharges to protect the local environment, and we will take action when pollution occurs.

"This £50,000 payment will be invested back into the local area to enhance the environment for people and wildlife."

Water Minister Robbie Moore said: "This penalty paid by Northumbrian Water shows how those who damage our natural environment will be held to account.

"The £50,000 will be channelled back into improving the local environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, as well as protecting local wildlife."