Edible Oil Refiner Fined For Fat Blockage

Phil Black - PII Editor 14/10/2014

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An edible oil refiner has been fined for pouring away fats which blocked a United Utilities sewer and caused flooding in Stockport.

Jarmac Limited was prosecuted by United Utilities after the water company’s staff carried out investigations near the firm’s base on Lancashire Hill, in Stockport.

The firm, which refines oils for the soap and leather industry, pleaded guilty at Stockport Magistrates Court on Friday 10 October, 2014, to a breach of the Water Industry Act 1991. It was ordered to pay a total of £14,293 including a fine of £1,000, costs of £13,193 and a victim surcharge of £100.

In December 2012 Jarmac Ltd had an uncontrolled release of pork rind fat into the sewer which caused a sewer blockage.

The court heard how the blockage was only discovered after fat and sewage came up through the pavement into Gordon Street, Stockport.

After investigations, United Utilities had to construct a new manhole in order to access the sewer and it took more than two months to clean out the fat and return the sewer into service.

In mitigation Jarmac stated that they were proactive in cleaning up the pollution on the road, they later sealed up the drain which carried the waste into the sewer network and they believed the blockage was caused by a partial collapse of the sewer.

United Utilities stressed the importance of commercial customers having proper spillage management procedures and accurate drainage plans.

Speaking after the hearing, Craig Waddell, Wastewater Area Business Manager for United Utilities, said: “We strive to deliver an effective wastewater service for all of our customers. So where individuals or companies cause us operational issues we take it very seriously.

“It takes a great deal of time and customers’ money to remove fats and grease from the sewers. In this case the situation was so serious it caused a major blockage and flooding which was very unpleasant for the public.”

It is a criminal offence under section 111 of the Water Industry Act to discharge a material into the sewerage network that is likely to injure or interfere with the free flow of the sewer.

Mr Waddell added: “Taking customers to court is a last resort as we try to work with traders to prevent breaches occurring in the first place. However, where we experience operational problems that can affect other customers we sometimes have to step in to protect them, our assets and the environment.”