Watercress farmer alleges sewage spill damage by Southern Water

Calvin Hooper says that he has struggled to grow and sell his watercress for more than a year due to the damage allegedly caused by the spill.

The letter claims that in November 2023 a burst rising main pipe released a large quantity of untreated sewage water into the surrounding area, leading to the flooding of two thirds of Mr Hooper’s watercress beds. Southern Water is responsible for the maintenance of public sewers and drains in the Andover area.   

The letter alleges that Mr Hooper’s watercress beds, located half a mile downhill from the pipe, were directly contaminated by the sewage spill, and that he has been unable to harvest any of the watercress crop within this area or sell any produce as a result.  

It demands compensation be paid to Hooper Jeans & Co Limited, Mr Hooper’s company, which had orders rising to 1.5 tonnes of watercress a week scheduled, and asks that the area be properly repaired by Southern Water.  

Mr Hooper’s company is represented by law firm Leigh Day. He grows watercress using a traditional method involving hand-cutting the plant with rubber band and twine instead of a machine, which is recognised as an environmentally sustainable option.  

Mr Hooper says the incident has had a significant impact on his hopes and plans for the business, and that he is unable to afford the cost of repairing his damaged watercress beds. 

Southern Water currently has ‘red’ status from the Environment Agency for the number of sewage pollution incidents recorded in its 2023 Environmental Performance Assessment, which totalled 234. 

As well as demanding compensation, the letter argues that Southern Water has a duty of care to maintain and monitor its infrastructure in order to avoid spillage incidents occurring. 

Calvin Hooper said: 

“The consequences of this spill have been devastating. It has meant I have been unable to continue operating in an industry which provides me with a home and a livelihood. I have made numerous attempts to reach a solution collaboratively, but these efforts have not been met with success. My hope is that this letter will lead to the return of my business, as well as the environment being returned to an acceptable state.” 

Leigh Day solicitor Charlotte Armstrong said: 

“We have sent a letter before action to Southern Water on behalf of our client, Mr Hooper’s company, following a sewage spill which allegedly devastated the majority of his watercress beds and business. Mr Hooper is passionate about sustainable farming, but now finds himself in a position where he is unable to harvest and sell his watercress crop. We hope that this letter will prompt Southern Water to engage constructively with this claim.”