RESIDENTS have voiced anger, frustration and concern after Anglian Water was fined £1.62million for a sewage pollution incident which seriously affected a Braintree river.
The prosecution related to an incident in August 2022 when sewage escaped from the company's Braintree Water Recycling Centre off Skitts Hill and entered the River Brain.
The pollution killed hundreds of fish and affected nearly 14km of the river between Braintree and Witham, where the Environment Agency recorded its highest toxic ammonia levels in a decade.
Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard that a screen designed to filter sewage became blocked, causing wastewater to overflow. The Environment Agency described the incident as significant, with its effects felt along a substantial stretch of the river.
Braintree resident Philip Jinman said the sewage works were Victorian and felt expansion of house building was putting the system under strain.
Others questioned whether the financial penalty would lead to meaningful change.
Ben Clarke said: "These fines have little impact on the people responsible. Ultimately, they just affect users, as the cost will probably be passed on through price hikes, with less investment as a result. Why aren't the people responsible at these companies, who consistently let us down, having their bonuses removed or facing legal action?"
His comments echoed those of other readers who argued that individual accountability for senior executives would be a stronger deterrent than corporate fines.
There were also strong reactions about environmental harm and concerns about water quality.
Jim Turner said: "What kind of people would do this to our beautiful countryside?"
Sandy Nunn added: “Precisely why I won't let my dog in any rivers!"
Anglian Water has apologised for the effect on the River Brain, acknowledging its procedure fell well below its standards, and insisted its £11 billion investment plan to improve infrastructure over the next five years is already well underway.
This plan, being delivered between 2025 and 2030, aims to deliver the performance that customers expect, the water company says.
