Northumbrian Water has agreed to pay £550,000 to environmental charities following two separate pollution incidents that saw unauthorised sewage discharged into streams in County Durham and Sunderland. The Environment Agency accepted two Enforcement Undertakings totalling £550,000 after investigations into incidents at Sedgeletch sewage treatment works (STW) in Houghton-le-Spring and Lanchester STW in Lanchester.
The funds will be directed to the Wear Rivers Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust for habitat restoration, fish migration improvements, and pollution reduction projects. The company also carried out remedial actions at both sites and paid the Environment Agency's investigation costs.
Details of the Incidents
The first incident occurred in September 2020 at Sedgeletch STW, where unauthorised sewage was discharged into Moors Burn, affecting 5.5km of the watercourse and harming aquatic life. Northumbrian Water contributed £350,000 to the Wear Rivers Trust for habitat restoration at Old Durham Beck. However, the Environment Agency noted that the full impact could not be solely attributed to the water company due to two other pollution sources near the outfall.
The second incident took place in April 2021 at Lanchester STW, where sewage was discharged into Smallhope Burn. Sampling revealed elevated ammonia levels downstream, breaching the environmental permit limit. Northumbrian Water paid £200,000 to Durham Wildlife Trust for environmental improvement projects in the catchment.
Remedial Actions and Investment
As part of the sanctions, Northumbrian Water implemented operational changes at Sedgeletch STW, including installing telemetry, and invested approximately £7 million at Lanchester STW. The company also spent £7.8 million on an upgrade at Lanchester and plans a further £6 million investment, while a £13.6 million programme is underway at Sedgeletch.
Context of Enforcement
The Enforcement Undertakings come amid a strengthened crackdown by the Environment Agency on water company pollution. In the last year, a record £8.5 million has been paid by water companies into environmental restoration across England, nearly double the previous year. Rachael Caldwell, Environment Agency water industry regulation manager in the North East, stated: "It’s unacceptable that water companies continue to pollute our watercourses. We expect compliance and we will take action where we see breaches."
She added: "These civil sanctions allow wrongdoings to be corrected while contributing to environmental improvements. This £550,000 will be invested back into the local area to enhance the environment, bringing real benefits for people and wildlife."
Company Response
A Northumbrian Water spokesperson said: "We work incredibly hard to avoid pollution incidents and are making significant long-term investment to protect and improve rivers, coasts and local environments across the North East. Since these incidents, we have continued to invest in our wastewater network and treatment works to help protect the environment and reduce the likelihood of similar issues occurring in future."
