UK water firm fined £28k for sewage spill

South West Water has been fined £28,000 for failing to respond “speedily enough” to a sewage spill in Devon. It was caused by a blockage at the Milford Park pumping […]

South West Water has been fined £28,000 for failing to respond “speedily enough” to a sewage spill in Devon.

It was caused by a blockage at the Milford Park pumping station in Teignmouth in 2013.

Sewage accumulated in the pumping station and the surrounding sewers until it spilled from three locations, according to the Environment Agency.

The court heard there had been an hour and a half delay on South West Water’s part in responding to alarms.

Richard Fisher for the Environment Agency said: “South West Water had already recorded the site as at risk after a large rag ball had been trapped in the pumping station… The sewage spill affected the nearby beaches at Teignmouth with two bathing water beaches failing the water quality testing standards on the day.”

Earlier this year South West Water was also ordered to pay more than £40,000 in fines and costs for polluting a watercourse in Devon.

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