South West Water One of UK's Worst Polluters

South West Water has been named by the UK's Environment Agency as one of the worst polluters in England and Wales.

The company was prosecuted 10 times last year for pollution offenses and ordered by magistrates to pay fines totaling £41,000 ($75,505 US).

In the agency's environmental performance table, the company shares the bottom spot with Southern Water.

But South West Water says the agency's figures are misleading and its record is among the best in the country.

Managing wastewater effectively is one of the key tasks of all water companies. However, this report by the Environment Agency says South West Water still has to work hard if it is to continue improving its record.

The Agency also noted that the average fine imposed by magistrates for a serious pollution offense was lower in 2003 than it was in the year 2000.

Source: BBC News