River Trent: Pollution
Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Written answers and statements, 4 November 2009
Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking in respect of the discharge of cyanide into the River Trent in October 2009; what discussions he has had with Severn Trent Water on the incident; and if he will make a statement.
Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)
The Environment Agency is investigating the cause of the incident with a view to prosecuting those responsible. It is having on-going discussions with Severn Trent Water and is inspecting the company's records to establish how its sewage works were disrupted by the effluent it received.
A suspension notice was served by the Environment Agency to prevent a company in Stoke-on-Trent discharging effluent to the sewer system. This notice will remain in force until the Environment Agency is satisfied that the risk of pollution has been removed.