A CHEMICAL company has admitted to polluting a massive stretch of the River Colne which allegedly killed hundreds of fish.
Slaithwaite based Sub Micron Industries Ltd yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of releasing pesticides and other chemicals into the water.
Huddersfield magistrates heard the company, which makes agricultural chemicals and public health products, had committed the offence on or before March 23 last year.
As reported in The Examiner at the time, Environment Agency officials began investigating the source of a contamination when more than 400 dead fish were found floating in Aspley Marina.
Distressed and dying fish were also reported on a stretch of the River Colne between Milnsbridge and Huddersfield town centre.
Paul Hartley, prosecuting for the Environment Agency, told magistrates that there was a “significant amount of fish killed and significant environmental damage”.
He said they had traced the source back to Sub Micron Industries and the pollution had been deemed a category one incident, the most serious environmental offence.
Anglers from Mirfield and Slaithwaite told The Examiner the incident had a severe impact on their clubs and claimed it had wiped out fish stocks on the Huddersfield Broad Canal as far as Cooper Bridge.
Peter Dawson, secretary of the 200 member strong Mirfield Angling Club, said they were out of pocket after a lack of fish saw angling groups pull out a match fishing contest they were hosting.
He said: “We knew something was up when we noticed the fish floating about in Aspley Marina.
“We had a match on the Sunday but nobody got a bite.
“There were 24 teams registered and 10 went and cancelled.”
Mr Dawson also claimed the affects of the contamination in the canal could be seen all the way to Dewsbury.
He added: “We’ve spent thousands on stocking it with fish just for them to wipe it out. We’re just throwing money down the drain.”
Joe Forrest, managing director of Sub Micron Industries, declined to comment on how the incident had occurred.
His company are also charged with failing to notify the Environment Agency that they were producing hazardous waste.
No plea was entered on that charge and magistrates will deal with matter when the company is next in court.
Sentencing has been adjourned until March 16 but magistrates could impose a maximum penalty of a £20,000 fine.
They could also refer the sentencing to crown court for a judge to determine a stiffer sentence.
