STORY
Southern Water has been fined £2.4 million after admitting five environmental offences involving untreated sewage, diesel and other waste released around Faversham and Whitstable. The incidents occurred between 2019 and 2021 and affected Swalecliffe Brook, Faversham Creek and coastal waters near Whitstable Harbour.
The court heard that diesel from a leaking generator entered Swalecliffe Brook and the sea in July 2019, prompting warnings for people and their pets to avoid the water. Further incidents released untreated sewage into Faversham Creek and Swalecliffe Brook during 2020 and 2021. Around 70 dead fish, including eels, were discovered following one discharge, while warning signs advising against swimming remained at Tankerton and Herne Bay beaches for almost a week.
Southern Water pleaded guilty to all five charges at Medway Magistrates’ Court in April. District Judge Stephen Leake imposed the fine at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and ordered the company to pay £69,894 in costs and a £190 victim surcharge. The Environment Agency said it had undertaken 700 inspections of Southern Water sites during the past year and identified 400 required improvements. The company was separately fined £7.1 million earlier this year for pollution which closed beaches in Thanet.