SOUTH WEST WATER has been fined £5,000 after sewage polluted a stream at Crackington Haven.

Last week the company pleaded guilty to causing noxious or polluting matter to enter controlled water in October 2008.

Environment agency

Bodmin magistrates heard that officers from the Environment Agency had been inspecting the Wainhouse Corner sewage treatment works, near Crackington Haven, when they discovered a number of faults.

Sewage effluent was escaping from a damaged pipe into a nearby field and then a stream.

The officers also saw evidence of sewage debris in the filter beds, a tipping bucket incorrectly positioned and the absence of splash plates from the ends of the filter bed spray bars.

Sewage fungus was visible in the stream for a distance of 150 metres – a sign that the area had been polluted.

Most of the faults had been rectified by December when the officers revisited the site. However, when they returned in January 2009, a whole new set of problems had occurred.

The most serious was a blockage in the treatment works main inlet that had become clogged with paper and faeces after heavy rain.

By-pass treatment

This resulted in all incoming sewage by-passing the full treatment process and discharging via a storm pipe into the stream.

Officers also found that a sack in the storm chamber, used to filter out large solids, was overflowing with sewage and sanitary waste.

John Cossens, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, said: "Water companies must ensure sewage treatment works under their control operate effectively and do not pose a risk to the environment.

"The pollution from this site was avoidable and was caused by inadequate inspections and maintenance by the water company."

South West Water was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,284 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge. A spokesman for South West Water said: "As soon as the Environment Agency alerted us to the situation we immediately took steps to resolve the problems.

Minor impact

"We accept there would have been a temporary localised minor impact on water quality downstream from the works, but no impact was identified in the wider catchment.

"We have invested £10,000 at the site to reduce the risk of this ever happening again."