YORKSHIRE Water is to face six charges in court tomorrow over pollution that saw Bradford Beck run black.

The Bradford-based firm is being prosecuted by the Environment Agency over an incident which saw pollution seep into a part of the beck in August 2018.

Charges include two counts of knowingly permitting a person to operate a regulated facility without authorisation of an environmental permit and four counts of failing to comply with an environmental permit condition.

Outrage as stretch of Bradford Beck runs black

The first charge covers a six day period in August 2018 and the next, a period, from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018.

While the charges of failing to comply cover September 1, 2017 to June 7, 2019.

Pictures show the water had turned black near Ambler Mill opposite Forster Square Retail Park and there were reports that wildlife had also been killed.

An investigation at the time by the Environment Agency found that the cause was sewage flowing into the beck intermittently due to the blockage of a sewer overflow.

After initially giving the Bradford-based company a written warning, the investigation was re-opened by the Environment Agency in 2019.

The first hearing will take place at Leeds Magistrates' Court, on March 15.

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