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Sewage Spill Shuts Down a Cornish Shellfishery

Event Year
2007
Reliability
Confirmed
Country
United Kingdom
Industry
Water/Waste Water

Description

On June 2, 2007, a computer and penstock controlling the flow of sewage into the Truro Treatment Works failed.  This caused sewage to be direrted to a storm tank that continued to fill until late on June 3, 2007 when it reached capacity and overflowed into the Truro River.  The discharge was not reported until 3 days after the spill.

Impact

Sewage spilled into the Truro River.  The shellfishery was closed for 12 days.  The local fisherman suffered financially.  South West Water was fined