Following an Environment Agency investigation, United Utilities pleaded guilty to introducing thousands of fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit
United Utilities Water Limited pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to obtain a permit to release fish into inland waters.
Consequently, it has been fined £60,000, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and £24,098.06 in costs for the offence.
The 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 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. The water company quickly brought in a contractor to rescue the fish and about 18,000 fish were returned to High Rid Reservoir.
Scour valves are essential components in pressurised water systems like reservoirs, and it is important they are maintained and tested regularly. However, the high-speed discharge killed or injured many of the fish, with some bodies found embedded in bridge walls approximately two feet above the water’s surface. Others had missing scales and protruding organs.
Reports of Dead Fish
Environment Agency officers attended Bessy Brook on 13 December 2024, after receiving reports of dead fish in the area. Photographic and video evidence as well as water samples were taken and used to establish there were no pollutants in Bessy Brook. United Utilities Water Limited said it believed a large school of roach may have entered the scour pipework in response to threat from birds looking to feed
The court heard in mitigation the steps that United Utilities Water Limited had taken to prevent this from happening again and confirmed that a subsequent scour valve test had been successfully completed. They also explained a voluntary donation of £500,000 had been given to Groundwork Greater Manchester for proposed work to Middle Brook Restoration.
However, the Environment Agency said the water company did not have a permit to introduce fish in such numbers to the downstream watercourse. The introduction of 34,000 fish met the criteria for ‘Category 2’ harm, meaning there was a ‘significant adverse impact on animal health’.
Robust Enforcement Action
Andy Brown, the Environment Agency’s water industry regulation manager for the North West, said:
Water Minister Emma Hardy said:
This sentencing comes as the Environment Agency continues to hold water companies to account to protect people, wildlife and Britain’s precious ecosystems. The environmental regulator has completed 10,000 water company inspections this year, resulting in thousands of improvement actions and upgrades to infrastructure.
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.
Background
Charge
On 12 December 2024 United Utilities Water Ltd introduced fish, namely roach, into inland waters, namely Bessy Brook, from the High Rid Reservoir, Horwich, Greater Manchester, otherwise than under and in accordance with the terms of a permit this being an offence pursuant to Regulation 4(a) of the Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015.
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