Huddersfield company fined £9,000 after polluting river and killing hundreds of fish
It's after bleach leaked into the Rivers Colne and Holme
A Huddersfield company has been fined and ordered to pay costs of almost £9,000, after it polluted a river and killed hundreds of fish.
Packing firm Liquipak Ltd, based at the Queens Mill Business Centre, admitted to the illegal discharge of bleach at Kirklees Magistrates' Court on January 9.
The bleach found its way into the Rivers Colne and Holme in September 2021 after a wood pallet collapsed, leading to a chemical spill.
Over 800 dead fish were counted downstream, with insects also being impacted by the pollution.
The company apologised to the court and emphasised it had introduced new procedures to prevent a repeat incident.
Environment Agency Environment Officer Peter Kirton said:
“Companies have a responsibility to ensure their activities do not have serious environmental impacts"
“It’s important they understand their site drainage and the difference between surface and foul drains.
“We carried out a thorough investigation into this pollution incident and the company has since taken steps to ensure there is no recurrence in future.”