£1.6m fine for Anglian Water's pollution of Essex river
Summary
Anglian Water has been fined £1.6m after repeated sewage pollution incidents affected the River Brain in Essex over a six-week period in 2022. The Environment Agency said the pollution resulted from organisational failure, a faulty valve and missed warning signs, with untreated sewage discharged outside the company’s environmental permit.
Why it matters
Water pollution incidents can affect local amenity, environmental quality and the due diligence considerations surveyors may need to note when reporting on nearby land or watercourses. The case also highlights the Environment Agency’s increased enforcement activity and the importance of permit compliance for infrastructure operators.
Key points
- Anglian Water was fined £1.6m for repeated sewage pollution of the River Brain.
- The pollution stretched nearly 14km between Braintree and Witham.
- The Environment Agency said a faulty valve and ignored alarms contributed to the incident.
- The prosecution was brought under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
- The company was also ordered to pay costs and a surcharge.
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