Slaithwaite chemical company fined after washing machine polluted River Colne

Mar 17 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Pollution in the River Colne

A CHEMICAL company has been fined for polluting the River Colne, killing hundreds of fish.

Slaithwaite-based Sub Micron Industries Ltd was fined £4,500 at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday after it pleaded guilty to charges of releasing pesticides and other chemicals into the water.

But company bosses said the pollution was an innocent mistake after a factory washing machine used to clean workers’ dirty overalls was discovered as the source.

Officers from the Environment Agency began investigating after more than 100 dead fish were found floating near Aspley Marina in March last year.

They found levels of highly toxic chemical Permethrin to be 13 million times higher than the allowed level.

Another chemical called Deltamethrin was also discovered at 4 million times the allowed level.

The deadly chemicals are used to make nit shampoo and pesticides.

Environment Agency solicitor Craig Burman told magistrates that one teaspoon of Permethrin could kill half of all the trout in one million litres of water.

Sub Micron was traced as the source of the incident after officers found a surface water drain on the banks of the river was depositing a milky white substance.

The drain led back to Sub Micron’s premises on the Spa Fields Industrial Estate, and inside the building officers discovered a washing machine that was connected to one of the warehouse drainage pipes.

Tests then confirmed the pipe was running directly out into the River Colne.

Joe Forrest, managing director of Sub Micron Industries, said he wanted to express the company’s deepest regret at the incident and said he was “horrified” when he learnt of their error.

He said: “We operate our production processes to a strict code of conduct highlighting the risks associated with our products and are very proud that we have maintained a safe working environment for our staff, contractors and visitors.