Yorkshire water board fined for sewage leak

Yorkshire Water has been forced to pay a fine of £7,500 after being found guilty of damaging water quality in the area.

The Environment Agency issued the punishment at Scarborough Magistrates' Court today (May 6th 2011).

It related to an incident in Runswick Bay in April 2010, when members of the public reported sewage being leaked into the waterway.

The beck that the pollutant was released into runs into a bathing beach in the area, thus potentially putting swimmers at risk.

Following environmental analysis on the stretch, chiefs at the agency found the sewage had killed all creatures except for "pollution-tolerant worms".

"Everyone has a duty to protect the environment and we will not hesitate to prosecute if an individual or company has failed in this responsibility," commented Environment Agency representative John Sherwood.

Meanwhile, the organisation has announced that action is set to be taken to improve the water quality of the River Derwent and it is hoped that fish stocks will be replenished.

Posted by Joseph Hutton