Severn Trent Water’s newly appointed Waste Water Services Director Simon Cocks had to deal with his first major incident this week. News of a major pollution incident in the River Trent hit the national headlines after a cyanide leak killed thousands of fish and knocked out Severn Trent’s Strongford waste water treatment works.
The Guardian reported today that the source of the pollution had been identified and the company concerned Red Industries - ironically a company that specialises in the disposal of hazardous waste - had suspended all sewer discharges.
This incident does highlight the vital importance of contingency planning and well rehearsed emergency procedures. Biological waste water treatment works are of course particularly vulnerable to poisoning. The fact that Severn Trent Water were able to lay on over 200 tanker movements in such a short period of time is a tribute to their effective contingency planning and a salutatory reminder of the importance of thoroughly reviewing potential disaster scenarios and drawing up contingency plans. Simon Cocks has a lot to thank his predecessor for.
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