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Wildlife Trust receives cash from polluter

Blocked sewers

In March 2017 blue towel roll and baby wipes were flushed down a toilet in the baby changing area of Gloucester Services, causing a blocked sewer. This in turn led to a manhole in an adjacent field overflowing into the Tuffley Brook where it killed a large number of fish, eels and invertebrates.

Taking action

When the incident was discovered, Gloucester Gateway Ltd (G) says it immediately took steps to mitigate the effects, working alongside the Environment Agency (EA) and Severn Trent Water. It also did what it could to ensure it didn’t happen again by replacing the blue towels with a bio-degradeable alternative.

Signs were displayed asking for nappies and baby wipes to be put in the bins provided and asking that only toilet paper be flushed.

A different way to pay

Instead of being prosecuted G persuaded the EA to agree to an enforcement undertaking (EU). Under this scheme, G made a donation of £60,000 to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. This money will be used by the charity to install a sustainable drainage system (SuDS).

The Trust has been installing “leaky dams” as part of a SuDS system in the River Frome catchment around Stroud. These slow the pace of water run-off during high rainfall events, allowing it more time to seep into the ground reducing the risk of flooding.

At risk from the public

It can be very difficult to control the actions of members of the public so you’re left trying to influence their behaviour as best you can.

Tip 1. If you’ve had previous problems with blockages by nappies, hand towels, etc., take advice from a plumber on physical changes you can make to your drainage system to make it more robust. There are ways of designing access chambers which may help, plus there are alarm systems available which can give an early warning of a developing problem.

Tip 2. Try locating paper towel dispensers further away from toilets, and have rubbish and sanitary bins close to points of use, so that customers have a better alternative than throwing rubbish where they shouldn’t.

Tip 3. Make your signage hit home by not only asking for the behaviour you want but also explaining the potential consequences if your request is ignored. Customers are more likely to conform if they understand the environmental damage they could cause.

Note. Whether the EA will accept your offer of an EU is governed by guidelines (see The next step ). It’s certainly worth considering as it means that money is channelled to good causes rather than going in fines and costs.

For a link to government guidance on EUs, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 14.10.07).