WELSH WATER FINED FOR PORTHMADOG POLLUTION INCIDENT

05/04/2005 - Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig, who trade as Dwr Cymru Welsh Water were fined £500 at Pwllheli Magistrates Court on 1 April 2005. The company had pleaded guilty to causing polluting matter to enter controlled waters at Porthmadog on 17 February 2004, contrary to Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £1000 to Environment Agency Wales who brought the prosecution.
The court heard how sewage effluent was found to be discharging on 17 February 2004 into an inlet on the Glaslyn Estuary from an outfall pipe from Porthmadog Sewage Treatment Works. The outfall only has Consents for use in emergency situations when storm tanks at the works are full or when the plant is inoperative due to factors outside of its control. According to the company, the discharge was being made because high flows into the works had triggered a shut down of on-site drainage pumps, and, due to a telemetry alarm not working they had not been aware of the resulting overflow.

After the case, Helen Clay, an Agency Environment Officer said: 'Discharges to controlled waters are strictly regulated to protect the environment. Incidents such as this show the importance of water companies maintaining their equipment to meet their consent conditions.'