Southern Water has been fined £2.4 million after pleading guilty to five charges linked to sewage and other pollution incidents in Kent.
The Environment Agency prosecution relates to incidents around Faversham and Whitstable between 2019 and 2021, involving untreated sewage, debris, diesel and waste entering waterways and coastal waters.
In July 2019, diesel from a leaking generator at a wastewater treatment plant entered Swalecliffe Brook in Whitstable and reached the sea. Absorbent booms were deployed by Environment Agency officers, while the public was warned to keep out of the water.
In March 2020, untreated sewage was discharged into Faversham Creek after pumps stopped working. The company also failed to initially report the incident to the regulator.
Swalecliffe Brook was affected again on the same day, with investigators finding sewage and debris flowing from the treatment plant. A similar incident occurred later that year.
Further pollution in August 2021 resulted in untreated sewage entering Swalecliffe Brook, where investigators found around 70 dead fish, including eels. Beach warnings were subsequently issued in Tankerton and Herne Bay for almost a week.
A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “Under a new leadership team our focus since then has been on fixing those historic issues and improving the resilience of our network.
“While there is more work to do, these sites are operating very differently today than they were during the period covered by this prosecution. We will continue investing to improve river and coastal water quality, and customers can have confidence that we are addressing historic failings and building a more resilient network for the future.”
In addition to the fine, the court ordered Southern Water to pay £69,894 in costs and a £190 victim surcharge.
The company is due back in court in December over separate pollution incidents in Kent and Hampshire.
Copyright © 2026 Energy Live News LtdELN