SOUTHERN Water has been fined £2,500 after its sewage leaked into a Hawkhurst stream – polluting it to deadly levels for wildlife.

The firm admitted the incident, which took place at Hawkhurst South Stream on January 29, at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The court heard Hawkhurst Waste- water Treatment Works is owned and operated by Southern Water Services.

The company reported sewage was leaking from a foul sewer running through the area and flowing into a field drainage ditch, filling an adjacent pond and entering Hawkhurst South Stream.

An Environment Agency officer witnessed the sewage leak and took a sample from the watercourse – which showed high pollutant levels as ammonia levels were five times a fatal dose for fish.

EA officer Samantha Waller said: "The sewage leak had a significant but localised effect on water quality and the bed of this watercourse was grossly contaminated with sewage solids.

"The water quality was unfit for stock watering and the incident prevented cattle using the field.

"Southern Water, and any other company handling polluting material, has a responsibility to the environment. There should have been adequate systems to alert them to leaks immediately. We hope this is a lesson to other companies. They must take environmental responsibilities seriously."

The case was brought by the Environment Agency to whom Southern Water was also ordered to pay costs of £3,190.