press release
    10th February 2004

Just 24 hours after the courts fining South West Water (SWW) £15 000 for a pollution offence, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners have gathered further evidence highlighting operational problems at the same sewage works today.

SAS campaigners discovered and documented unsightly sanitary waste spilling into the Red River from a combined sewer overflow at Kieve Mill Sewage treatment works near Camborne.

SAS have contacted the Environment Agency Pollution Hotline to investigate the find further; the sanitary waste suggests the possible breach of South West Waters discharge consent, as whilst it is common for sewage to discharge at this point in times of heavy rain, a 6mm screen would normally stop the sanitary waste entering the watercourse.

SAS praised courts yesterday for imposing a large fine on the company for an incident at Kieve mill which led to poorly treated effluent escaping to the sea from its North Cliffs discharge.

We understand SWW plan to appeal against yesterdays court decision, but would urge them to invest their time & money in solving operational problems at the works, rather than wasting bill payers money pursuing an appeal.

Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director said:

"How can SWW appeal against yesterdays ruling, when less than 24 hours later, the same sewage treatment works is experiencing operational problems and putting the environment at risk?"

For further information please contact Richard Hardy on 07711 767548, or Matt Davis on 01872 553001 / 07973 224257

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