Water quality news: Environment Agency "will prosecute persistent polluters"

The Environment Agency has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting parties that persistently pollute the environment and affect water quality.

Bob Munroe, an officer with the organisation, made its remarks following the successful prosecution of Long Buckby-based Charles Jackson & Co.

The company was fined a total of £14,000 and ordered to pay costs amounting to £5,546 for the pollution of a tributary of the Whilton branch of the River Nene in February.

Grain and oil from the company's site at White Barn, Station Road was responsible for the environmental damage.

Nearly 400 m of the stream was affected by the pollutant and water quality, amenity and the waterway's invertebrate population were all impacted.

"This result today sends a clear message to businesses that we will prosecute persistent polluters of the environment," Mr Munroe concluded.

Earlier this month, Marc Condra, an environmental crime officer with the Environment Agency, said that everyone has a role to play in the protection of the environment.

Posted by Joseph Hutton