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05
Dec 2024
Investigation: How seriously does the Environment Agency tackle reports of pollution in the Nidd and Ure?
Just one of almost 300 local pollution incidents reported to the Environment Agency over the last five years has been formally investigated, the Stray Ferret can reveal.
The figures were released in response to a freedom of information request, which we submitted amid ongoing concerns about water quality in the Nidd and Ure.
The data raises questions about whether the Environment Agency has the means or funds to effectively tackle pollution.
We asked how many pollution incidents have been reported in each of the last five years for the River Nidd, the River Ure, the River Skell, the River Burn and Ripon Canal.
The Environment Agency provided data for the main river channels in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and up until October 17, 2024. The figures do not include tributaries, which means numerous becks are excluded.
The table, pictured below, summarises all incidents reported prior to them being substantiated or unsubstantiated and may include duplicate reports of the same incident.
The Environment Agency data on reported pollution incidents for each river.
Of the 289 incidents, almost half relate to the Nidd, which accounted for 142.
Bathing water
The Nidd flows through Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough. The river was designated a bathing water at Knaresborough Lido this year because of its poor water quality, which means the Environment Agency is obliged to come up with an improvement plan.
The Ure flows through Masham, Ripon and Boroughbridge. Concerns about its quality have led to the creation of the action group Stop Ure Pollution.
We also asked the Environment Agency how many of the incidents it investigated and how many led to fines or penalties.
It replied:
The Environment Agency has several ongoing formal investigations into pollution incidents across Yorkshire. The Environment Agency has also concluded several investigations across Yorkshire in the past five years that have resulted in a number of different enforcement actions including warning letters, enforcement undertaking and prosecutions.
On the main River Nidd, River Ure, River Skell, River Burn and on the Ripon Canal, we have one formal investigation recorded in the past five years (i.e. from 2020) relating to pollution incidents. This was following an incident on the River Ure in 2021 and the investigation is currently active.
As this is an ongoing investigation, the final enforcement response has not yet been determined.
It therefore appears not a single reported incident has led to a fine. However, the Stray Ferret reported last year that Yorkshire Water voluntarily agreed to pay £500,000 to York-based Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and £500,000 to Pateley Bridge-based Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust for polluting Hookstone Beck in Harrogate after an Environment Agency investigation.
The government body said it “reviews and assesses every reported incident” and then uses a classification scheme to categorise impact. It added: “Any enforcement response is decided in line with our enforcement and sanctions policy.”
David Clayden, chair of Nidd Action Group, which is coordinating efforts to clean the Nidd, said:
Only one formal investigation in five years seems very low.
One of my concerns is that the Environment Agency doesn't tell you what happens as a result of reporting an issue. This doesn't instil any confidence of a 'real' investigation or encouragement to keep reporting when something is seen.
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