Photo by Colby Winfield on Unsplash
Following an Environment Agency investigation, United Utilities pleaded guilty to introducing thousands of fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit. The EA says this sentence marks a regulatory milestone as the first time a water company has been sentenced under The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015.
Reservoir fish let loose during valve test
While conducting a scour valve test on High Rid Reservoir, United Utilities inadvertently released over 30,000 fish. This stranded them in the too small and unsuitable environment of Bessy Brook, with fatal consequences for over 16,000 fish.
Scour valves are essential components in pressurised water systems like reservoirs, and it is important they are maintained and tested regularly. However, many were reported to have suffered physical injury due to the force of the high-speed discharge, while others died due to unsuitable environmental conditions. The water company quickly brought in a contractor to rescue the fish and about 18,000 fish were returned to High Rid Reservoir.
Guilty plea for unauthorised introduction of fish into inland waters
The Environment Agency classified the event as a Category 2 incident, indicating significant impact on fish health and welfare. United Utilities pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to obtain a permit to release fish into inland waters. At court, United Utilities was fined £60,000, and ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge along with costs of approximately £24,000.
In a statement, the Environment Agency emphasised the importance of compliance with environmental legislation, noting that even routine operational activities must be carefully managed to avoid unintended ecological consequences.
Andy Brown, the Environment Agency’s water industry regulation manager for the North West, said:
“With this regulatory first, we are letting water companies know they must abide by all legislative requirements.
“The Environment Agency expects full compliance from water companies and are committed to taking robust enforcement action when we see breaches like this.”
Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “This incident by United Utilities is shocking and should never have happened in the first place. The company has to be held responsible for its actions and this £60,000 fine does exactly that. Our reforms will create a new stronger regulator for the industry, with powers to do MOT-style checks on water assets, preventing failures like these from happening.”
The environmental regulator asks that if members of the public see dead fish, signs of fish in distress or evidence of water pollution they should report it to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline immediately on 0800 807060.