Cyanide river poisoning highlights importance of contingency planning

The vital importance of effective contingency planning was shown again when news broke last week of cyanide leaking into the River Trent killing thousands of fish. Severn Trent Water were forced to deal with the consequences when the polluted water knocked out sewage treatment at Strongford wastewater 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. Severn Trent Water had an established contingency plan that enabled newly appointed  Waste Water Services Director Simon Cocks to take prompt effective action to mitigate the impact of the incident 

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.