European prosecutors are taking the UK to court over alleged waste water failings in Witham.

The town forms part of a prosecution involving 17 areas of concern.

European rules require member states to ensure that towns and cities properly collect and treat their urban waste water because of the health risk to animals and humans.

However, the Environment Agency refused to disclose how many or what kind of infringements had been recorded in Witham.

A spokesman referred the Times to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A Defra spokesman said it would not release details of alleged infractions because of “commercial sensitivity.”

He said: “Across England, 98% of waste water plants are operating to a good standard.

“Overall the UK has good compliance with the Directive and water companies have committed around £13.5bn to make the necessary improvements to get all treatment plants up to the EU standards.”

A spokesman for Anglian Water, which operates the only water treatment facility in Witham, said: “All our sites and water recycling centres in the Witham area are fully compliant and we are satisfied that we have done everything asked of us.

“On seeing Witham mentioned by the EC we have clarified the detail with the Environment Agency and we are satisfied the mention does not relate to any of our operations.”

In total, the EC prosecution lists four UK areas where water treatment is inadequate.

These were in Clacton, Banchory, Stranraer and Ballycastle.

The EC said it was also concerned about the water flowing into rivers and estuaries from Witham and Chelmsford, Lidsey, Tiverton, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Winchester Central and South, Islip, Broughton Astley and Chilton.