Brooke Additives Ltd has been fined after admitting to a river pollution incident in Somerset which killed over 300 fish when ammonia entered the waterway
A firm has been hit with a hefty fine after a river pollution incident that has been blamed on a ‘disgruntled ex-employee’. The company’s boss claimed that the pollution, which resulted in the death of over 300 fish in the River Barnwell, was the handiwork of an employee who had been dismissed.
Brooke Additives Ltd in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was fined £3,600 on Thursday (January 9) after admitting to the pollution incident in April 2023. In addition to the fine, the chemicals company was also ordered to cover costs and a victim surcharge amounting to £5,119.18.
The case, brought forward by the Environment Agency and heard at Exeter Magistrates’ Court, revealed that officers were alerted to the incident after a staff member reported seeing dead fish in the river. On-site tests revealed high levels of ammonia, and environmental tests indicated that the dark colour of the water suggested long-term pollution.
More dead fish were discovered downstream, and officers identified a pipe discharging a clear liquid into the river, reports Bristol Live. Tests showed high levels of ammonia and calcification of the pipe, suggesting that the polluting liquid had been discharged for a significant period.
The pipe was traced back to Brooke Additives Ltd, a producer of AdBlue, a urea-based fuel additive. Environment Agency officers discussed a plan with staff to limit further pollution by using a bank of earth or stones to control runoff.
The Environment Agency has reported the devastating find of 345 dead fish in a local river, with environmental damage spanning a shocking 2 kilometres. An Agency spokesperson condemned the incident, saying: “The company blamed a disgruntled ex-employee, but whatever the cause, there was significant damage to the environment and many fish died.”
Company directors Mr Brooke and Mark Heuff accepted their firm’s role in the pollution tragedy but claimed it was sparked by a former staff member’s misconduct.
They shared in an interview that workmates saw the ex-staff pouring substances down a drain, flouting company rules. However, the Environment Agency pointed out the pollution continued for two months after the supposed sacking.
Post-crisis, Brooke Additives Ltd ramped up safety measures, redirecting drains to a sump, installing CCTV, and training employees afresh.
