Dozens of fish were killed after the sewer over spilled
The pollution killed dozens of fish(Image: Environment Agency )
A water company has been ordered to pay £300,000 after a “backed-up sewer” spilled into a Somerset river.
The Wessex Water sewer polluted a tributary of the River Yeo in September 2022, killing dozens of fish, the Environment Agency (EA) said.
During the incident, a backed-up sewer led to a surging manhole spilling sewage into a tributary north of Milborne Port, which joins the River Yeo.
The pollution killed dozens of fish, including bullhead and three-spined sticklebacks.
An investigation carried out by the EA found there were high levels of ammonia and chloride present too.
Wessex Water has put “robust measures” in place to reduce the likelihood of similar pollution incidents happening again, which includes lining “the foul sewer network” and installing monitoring equipment.
A surging manhole caused by a backed-up sewer led to the pollution(Image: Environment Agency )
The company will also cover the EA’s investigation and enforcement costs of £6,668.
The money will go towards the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust to support habitat improvement projects in the area, including work to help endangered water voles.
There used to be an estimated 600-700 voles in the Yeovil area, but the numbers have dropped to around 300-400.
The habitat changes, caused by agriculture, urbanisation, and climate change has led to a dramatic decline in vole numbers across Somerset.
The EA said: “Yeovil Rivers Community Trust will use the money to create reedbeds, wetlands and ponds at Yeovil Country Park and long Preston Brook.”
Environment Agency Environmental Crime Officer, Steven Federico, said: “Water voles are incredible creatures who play an important part in creating a healthy wetland. We are pleased that the investment will go towards supporting these endangered creatures and improving water habitats in turn.”
Lorne Thomson, Chair of Yeovil Rivers Community Trust, said: “This money will be used to support the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust’s Water Vole Habitat Enhancement Program, which works to improve rivers, ponds and land habitats. This includes projects such as the creation of bunds and reedbeds which increase the quality of habitats for a range of flora and fauna including water voles.”