Northumbrian Water pays £50,000 to compensate river trust for pollution

The Environment Agency has accepted a proposal by Northumbrian Water to pay £50,000 to Tyne Rivers Trust in compensation after a burst pipe polluted a South Tyneside waterway in 2020.

An investigation by the environment watchdog found that the burst resulted in an unauthorised discharge of treated chlorinated water and silt into Monkton Burn in Jarrow. In response, Northumbrian Water has submitted an Enforcement Undertaking – to pay £50,000 to be “invested into the local area to enhance the environment for people and wildlife”. An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer made by companies or individuals to make amends for their offending.

In August 2020, Northumbrian Water reported to the Environment Agency that the water main had burst, polluting the watercourse with silt and chlorine. The agency reported that pollution had affected more than 500m of the burn, to where it meets the River Don.

Northumbrian Water repaired the section of pipe. There has been no long term impact on the watercourse.

Environment Agency land and water team leader, Graham Siddle, said: “We always consider enforcement options on a case by case basis and Enforcement Undertakings allow companies to put things right and contribute to environmental improvements and outcomes.”