Incidents
On 17 September 2007, a chemical was accidentally flushed into the Wandle from Thames Water's Beddington sewage works. This resulted in over 2,000 fish of various species being killed. The company assumed responsibility for the mistake, and said they were "mortified" by the incident. The company failed to notify the Environment Agency of the discharge, as the site manager thought it was minor. Sodium hypochlorite was being used to clean its tertiary treatment screens, but instead of being circulated back through the treatment works, it was accidentally discharged into the river. The company immediately offered to meet local angling clubs and the Wandle Trust to discuss restocking and long term support for the work of the Trust.
The company was fined £125,000 for the incident on 26 January 2009, with costs of £21,335. This is thought to be the greatest ever penalty for a single offence of polluting controlled waters. However in February 2010, on appeal, the fine was found to be "manifestly excessive" and was reduced to £50,000.
Read more about this topic: River Wandle
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“An element of exaggeration clings to the popular judgment: great vices are made greater, great virtues greater also; interesting incidents are made more interesting, softer legends more soft.”
—Walter Bagehot (1826–1877)