Someone received a fine for putting a fag butt down a drain. It was for littering a watercourse! This is not a joke it is genuine.
See page 7 here:
http://www.litteraction.org.uk/uploads/groups/234/Litter-refuse-GuidanceDEFRA-.pdf1.12 Subsection (4C) states that the
terms ‘lake or pond’, ‘watercourse’
and
‘public sewer’ have the same
meanings as in section 104 of the Water
Resources Act 1991. Section 104 needs
to be read together with section 221
(General Interpretation) of the same
Act. Accordingly:
‘lake or pond’ includes a reservoir of
any description. (s.104)
‘watercourse’ includes all rivers, streams,
ditches,
drains, cuts, culverts, dykes,
sluices,
sewers and passages through
which water flows, except mains and
other pipes which –
(a) belong to the Environment Agency