SOUTHERN WATER has been fined more than £7 million after dumping sewage illegally off the Kent coast between 2019 and 2021.

The company pleaded guilty to 13 offences at Medway Magistrates’ Court last April over discharges at Margate and Broadstairs pumping stations. 

Nine counts related to untreated sewage dumped off the Kent coast, three were for failing to notify authorities of discharges, and one for breaching its permit by not having a standby pump.

At Canterbury Crown Court yesterday, Mr Justice Johnson imposed a total fine of £7,127,083. 

He said the harm arose from “a pattern of repeated incidents over several years” causing “serious degradation of environmental quality.”

The judge noted the company has 174 previous convictions and said its record shows “a protracted history of non-compliance with its legal obligations” and “insufficient investment in the infrastructure.”

A Southern Water spokesperson said the company was “deeply sorry,” adding: “Pollution incidents like these are unacceptable. 

“These events took place more than five years ago — since then we’ve made significant changes.”