Illegal act threatened water supply

25/07/2005

A company’s illegal and irresponsible actions threatened water supplies to hundreds of customers and could have put lives at risk.

A national drainage company, which has an office on Teesside, was today ordered to pay £765.50 in fines and costs, at Teesside Magistrates Court, after admitting two charges of illegally abstracting water from a Northumbrian Water fire hydrant.

Lanes for Drains, based in Stockton, was seen on two occasions by a Northumbrian Water site supervisor taking water without permission from a fire hydrant on Stapylton Street, Grangetown, Middlesbrough – after already receiving a caution for the same irresponsible behaviour.

The first offence was committed on 7 April 2005 in the morning and the second on 19 April 2005 in the afternoon.  On both occasions the defendant was seen by Rob Isbell, who works at Northumbrian Water’s Thornaby office.

Prosecuting solicitor for Northumbrian Water, Paul Kelly, commented:  “This illegal behaviour is extremely irresponsible and the prosecution today demonstrates how seriously we take it and will hopefully deter others committing the same thoughtless offence.

“Taking water from a fire hydrant without permission from Northumbrian Water can cause customers in the area to have discoloured water and can also cause contamination to the water supply if anything is sucked back into the system. 

“It can also cause unnecessary difficulties for the fire brigade.  When water is abstracted from a fire hydrant water pressure and flow may be reduced – if the fire brigade are working in the same area and they don’t have the water they need, this puts lives at risk.”

Northumbrian Water has dedicated fire hydrants throughout its supply area, from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines, for companies to abstract water from legally.  The correct and responsible procedure is to contact Northumbrian Water, on 0845 717 1100, who will supply a metered standpipe and advise on locations of suitable hydrants to be used.

The court ordered Lains for Drains to pay £400 in fines and £365.50 in costs.

For further information contact Cara Hall, Northumbrian Water, 0191 301 6720.