Yorkshire Water has been fined £350,000 after one of its sewage pumping stations polluted a York watercourse.
Following an investigation by the Environment Agency, the company appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Friday 30 May for sentencing for two offences – one of illegally polluting Foss Dyke with sewage and another in relation to failing to maintain a pump at the pumping station.
It had previously pleaded guilty to the two offences in November 2024.
The court heard that Yorkshire Water was aware Fossbridge Sewage Pumping Station’s backup pump had not been working for five months.
It had failed to repair it, despite the issue having been noted repeatedly during regular maintenance checks. It should have been fixed within 24 hours.
Martin Christmas, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, said: “Water companies have a responsibility to ensure their assets are maintained and in working order to protect the environment.
“Yorkshire Water failed to take action despite being aware of the risks posed by one of its pumps being out of action, which led to a sewage spill.
“We expect full compliance and are committed to taking robust enforcement action where we see serious breaches.
“Alongside increased inspections at sewage treatment works, additional enforcement tools and better reporting we’re determined to hold water companies to account.”
Sewage pumping stations pump sewage through the system to sewage treatment works. It is illegal, unless authorised by an environmental permit, to discharge pollution into watercourses.
