The ex-owner of a pub has been fined more than £8,000 after pleading guilty to contaminating Southern Water's sewage network.

An investigation by the water company revealed oil from an old central heating tank found at The White Horse, in Bilsington, was running into an open drain through a hosepipe which had been attached.

The oil travelled through the sewer network and polluted Southern Water's rural wastewater treatment works in the village.

It meant all the contaminated waste from the site had to be taken by tanker for special disposal in Norwich.

The contamination killed the natural bacteria which processes the waste, so the site was out of action for several days until the site could be re-started.

The pub was found to be the culprit following an investigation by David Burnett, Southern Water's network enforcement protection officer for Kent.

He said: "Once we'd been alerted to the problem at the treatment works, I carried out a systematic investigation of the area, looking at all domestic and commercial properties which might have been the source of the pollution.

"It's a small village and the only source of heating here is oil, solid fuel or calor gas.

'The successful conviction and fine demonstrates that we take a very robust approach to people polluting our treatment works...' - Southern Water's David Burnett

"Following an initial chat with staff at the pub, I asked to be shown where the oil was stored and was taken to the garden, where I was greeted by an old central heating tank which had been cut up into pieces.

"The old base was full of a watery oil substance and a hosepipe connected to the valve of the old base, draining into an open drain just outside the kitchen area.

"I carried out a dye test, which led straight out into the sewer system and on to our treatment works, so was clearly the source of the pollution."

The water firm took Gordon Russell, who owned the pub at the time, to court where he was charged with 'permitting passing into public sewer of matter likely to injure sewer or drain'.

Following a guilty plea at Folkestone Magistrates last week, he was fined a total of £8,418.

Mr Burnett adds: "The successful conviction and fine at court demonstrates that we take a very robust approach to people polluting our treatment works.

"We hope this will send out a strong message to make people more aware about the problems putting the wrong things down the drain and the consequences they could face by doing so."

The White Horse is now under new ownership.

Southern Water's 'stop & think' list about what to put down the sink:

• Do wipe and scrape plates, pans & utensils before washing (and put the waste into the bin)
• Do collect waste oil in a suitable, secure container
• Do arrange for oil to be collected by a licensed waste contractor
• Do use strainers in sink plug holes (and empty contents into the bin)
• Do maintain Grease Traps & Enzyme Dosing equipment regularly
• Do not put cooking fat, oil or grease down the sink
• Do not pour waste fat, oil or grease down the drain
• Do not put food scrapings into the sink (place them in the rubbish bin)
• Do not sweep waste into floor drains (place it in the rubbish bin)
• Do not pour boiling hot water down the sink to try and dissolve fat and grease. It does not work!