Somerset firm blames 'disgruntled' sacked worker for polluting river

River pollution which killed 345 fish
-Credit:Environment Agency


A company in Somerset has been fined thousands after blaming a 'disgruntled ex-employee' for polluting a river. The company boss said the pollution, which killed more than 300 fish in the River Barnwell, was caused by an employee who had been fired.

The Weston-super-Mare company, Brooke Additives Ltd of the Rolston Farm Business Park, was fined £3,600 on Thursday (January 9) after admitting to the pollution incident in April 2023. Brooke Additives Ltd was also ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge of £5,119.18.

The case brought by the Environment Agency and heard at Exeter Magistrates' Court heard that officers went to Silver Moor Lane after a member of staff reported seeing dead fish on the river. Tests were carried out at the scene and high levels of ammonia were found. Environmental tests also indicated that the dark colour of water showed the pollution had been entering the river for some time.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Bristol Airport motorcyclist fined for 'stopping at crossing' in 'dangerous' area

READ MORE: Somerset's lost nightclub which was once the best in the west

More dead fish were found downstream and officers found a pipe discharging a clear liquid into the river. A test showed high levels of ammonia and calcification of the pipe, suggesting that the polluting liquid has been discharged for a considerable amount of time.

The pipe was linked to the company Brooke Additives Ltd, which produces AdBlue, a urea-based fuel additive. Environment Agency officers spoke to staff and a plan to limit further pollution by using a bank of earth or stones to control runoff was put forward.

In total, the Environment Agency found 345 dead fish, with the environmental damage stretching over 2km of the river. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The company blamed a disgruntled ex-employee, but whatever the cause, there was significant damage to the environment and many fish died.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Mr Brooke and fellow director Mark Heuff said the company took responsibility for the pollution to the river but maintained it had been caused by a former employee. They said in an interview that staff members had seen the person pouring liquid down a drain, which went against company procedure.

The Environment Agency showed that the pollution continued for two months after the person was allegedly fired from their role in the company. Brooke Additives Ltd took further action after the incident, which included diverting site drains to a newly built sump, installing CCTV and providing staff training.