Over £500,000 Secured for Vital Environmental Enhancements

The Environment Agency has successfully secured over £550,000 from Northumbrian Water to fund environmental enhancements following two distinct pollution incidents. These incidents took place at the Sedgeletch sewage treatment works (STW) in Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, and at Lanchester STW in Lanchester, County Durham.

Both occurrences involved the unlawful discharge of sewage into nearby streams, prompting the agency to accept the Enforcement Undertakings proposed by Northumbrian Water. The financial contributions will be directed towards environmental charities, focusing on habitat restoration, improving fish migration, and reducing pollution in the affected areas.

Details of the Financial Contributions

Northumbrian Water’s Enforcement Undertakings follow investigations conducted by the Environment Agency into the incidents. The company has committed to the following financial contributions:

• £350,000 to the Wear Rivers Trust in response to an unauthorised sewage discharge from Sedgeletch STW into Moors Burn in September 2020. This incident impacted 5.5 kilometres of the burn, adversely affecting aquatic life. While the water company is partially responsible, two other nearby pollution sources were also identified. The funds will be allocated for habitat restoration at Old Durham Beck.
• £200,000 to the Durham Wildlife Trust for an unauthorised discharge from Lanchester STW into Smallhope Burn in April 2021. Investigative sampling revealed elevated ammonia levels downstream, which exceeded the limits established by the environmental permit. This funding will support various environmental improvement initiatives within the catchment area.

In addition to these monetary contributions, Northumbrian Water has undertaken remedial measures at both sites as part of the sanctions. This includes modifications to on-site procedures and the installation of telemetry at Sedgeletch STW, alongside a significant investment of around £7 million at Lanchester STW. Furthermore, the company will cover all investigation costs incurred by the Environment Agency.

Strengthened Enforcement Against Pollution

The Enforcement Undertakings come at a time when the Environment Agency has intensified its efforts to combat pollution and poor performance within the water industry. Over the past year, water companies have contributed a record £8.5 million to environmental restoration projects nationwide, nearly double the amount from the previous year.

Rachael Caldwell, the Environment Agency’s water industry regulation manager for the North East, remarked on the ongoing issue of pollution, stating, “It’s unacceptable that water companies continue to pollute our watercourses. We expect compliance and we will take action where we see breaches.” She emphasised the importance of these civil sanctions as a means to rectify wrongdoings while simultaneously contributing to environmental enhancements. “This £550,000 will be invested back into the local area to enhance the environment, bringing real benefits for people and wildlife,” Caldwell added.

Understanding Enforcement Undertakings

Enforcement Undertakings are legally binding agreements between the Environment Agency and companies found in breach of environmental regulations. These agreements require the offending company to implement measures to prevent recurrence and to rectify the damage caused. Typically, they include a financial contribution to an environmental charity, facilitating immediate improvements in the local environment without the need for protracted court proceedings. This approach complements the Environment Agency’s broader enforcement strategy against repeat offenders.

Enforcement Undertakings are outlined under the Environmental Civil Sanctions (England) Order 2010, allowing the Environment Agency to accept such agreements where there are reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed. The agency considers these undertakings only if they effectively address the causes and impacts of the offending behaviour or contribute to the protection, restoration, or enhancement of the environment. However, the Environment Agency remains committed to prosecuting individuals and organisations for environmental offences when evidence indicates significant culpability and substantial environmental harm.