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United Utilities has paid out more than £500,000 after polluting the River Douglas at Horwich in 2016 with ferric solution.
The Environment Agency (EA) said the incident caused a “significant fish kill” after the acidic salt solution seeped into the river from the utility firm’s Rivington Water Treatment Works.
An EA investigation found the River Douglas, which flows out of the Rivington reservoir was very acidic and had turned an orange colour.
According to the EA, this in turn caused a “significant” number of brown trout to be killed.
It was discovered that ferric solution had been by-passing a faulty valve in the water treatment works, which had discharged into a drain and entered the river.
The water company cooperated with the investigation, admitted the office and carried out improvement works to prevent a recurrence.
United Utilities has also now completed an “enforcement undertaking” which includes a payment of £500,000 to the Douglas Catchment Partnership to help build fish passages and bypass streams on the river.
The firm has also spent £88,498 on improvements to the treatment works, including maintenance and valve replacement.
It has also paid £13,521 to cover the EA’s costs.
The EA’s land and water team leader, Jennifer Hall, said: “Environment Agency staff respond to pollution incidents 24/7 to contain pollution and protect water quality. We investigate pollution incidents to find the source, stop the problem and understand how best to reduce any impacts on local communities and the environment.
“We take tough action against any company or individual who causes significant pollution and damage to the environment,” added Hall.
A United Utilities spokesperson said: “We apologise for the pollution incident that affected the River Douglas in September 2016. At the time, we fully cooperated with the Environment Agency’s investigation, and took the necessary action to prevent a reoccurrence.
“We also funded projects carried out by charities and other organisations that directly benefitted the environment within the River Douglas catchment area.”
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