On the Norfolk Broads, a devastating incident involving sewage discharge has resulted in significant environmental damage and financial penalties for Anglian Water. The company has been slapped with a hefty £300,000 fine after an unlawful release of untreated sewage into a watercourse that feeds into the Broads Special Area of Conservation, located in Norfolk.
On December 5, 2024, Anglian Water Services Limited was sentenced at Basildon Magistrates Court to a fine of £300,000, along with an additional £21,896.56 in legal costs and a £171 victim surcharge. Earlier this year, the company had entered a guilty plea in relation to the charges.
The pollution event unfolded on November 5, 2018, when a pumping station operated by Anglian Water in Ormesby St Margaret, Norfolk, released untreated sewage into the Spring Dyke. This watercourse flows into Ormesby Broad, a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and a crucial public water supply. Investigations by the Environment Agency revealed alarming levels of ammonia in the contaminated water. Tragically, thousands of fish perished, while many others were found struggling in distress. Emergency aerators were swiftly installed to alleviate further ecological damage.
The court deemed Anglian Water’s actions to be negligent and acknowledged the profound harm inflicted upon the environment. It took a full 11 days for the water quality in Spring Dyke to stabilise and return to acceptable levels.
In his sentencing statement, District Judge Williams emphasised the deadly consequences of the pollution: “The impact on wildlife was catastrophic, with a significant number of fish dying, and many more were seen suffering. There was also a notable effect on local residents and a real risk that the contamination could have infiltrated the public water supply.”
The sewage overflow resulted from a blockage in the pumping station’s well, caused by items that should never have been flushed. Anglian Water had prior knowledge of recurrent issues at the pumping station, as evidenced by 10 previous sewage discharges since 2003. However, the station lacked an emergency overflow permit, which compounded the severity of the incident.
Graham Verrier, the Environment Agency’s Area Director for East Anglia, remarked on the gravity of the situation: “We hold our responsibility to safeguard the environment in the highest regard. When major pollution events occur, we are swift to investigate and take measures to halt the pollution. Enforcement action follows when warranted.”
The Environment Agency’s approach is heavily focused on preventing such incidents before they happen, utilizing intelligence from incident reports to guide and prioritise its efforts to protect the natural world.
Members of the public who suspect pollution should immediately contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline at 0800 80 70 60.