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The largest fine for a trade effluent breach issued in Anglian Water’s region was dished out to Faccenda Foods after it pleaded guilty to three offences.
The food producer, which trades as Avara, was ordered to pay £226,460 by Wellingborough Magistrates after Anglian discovered it was not complying with the conditions of its discharge consent.
Avra was found to have allowed trade effluent that did not meet the required quality standards to enter the sewer and Brackley sewage treatment plant.
A £200,000 fine together with £26,560 costs represents the single largest fine in Anglian’s region for a trade effluent breach under the Water Industry Act.
Avara discharged effluent on 30 occasions between July 2021 and January 2023 that did not meet its consent conditions. Anglian acted to prevent impact to the downstream environment, including tankering the effluent out of the network.
Head of quality regulation and enforcement at Anglian, Natasha Kenny, said: “We take our duty of care to the environment incredibly seriously – and that extends to companies working under trade effluent consents.
“We will always work with traders to achieve compliance. Prosecution is a last resort – but the extended length of this particular consent breach, coupled with the risk of blockages, overflows and sewer flooding to residents of Brackley, meant we had no other choice.
“It is vital that business customers are compliant with consent conditions – we will work with traders to achieve compliance, but we will not hesitate to take legal action when necessary to protect the environment.”
Water companies issue consents for effluent that specify allowed levels for certain pollutant to ensure no harm to the environment, the public or the treatment process.
Companies are responsible for making sure they meet the discharge level and to take appropriate action to address any problems that arise.
Faccenda Foods supplies poultry and related products to supermarkets, restaurants and for export. It operates more than 300 sites across England and Wales, including the Brackley location adjacent to the River Ouse.
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