Europe's environmental watchdog has warned Britain and Spain over continuing spillage of sewage into rivers and seas, saying it would seek to impose fines on the two European Union (EU) Member States.

Two EU officials on Thursday announced the bloc's intention of suing Britain for polluting the River Thames, Reuters reported.

The EU's executive body, the European Commission, justified resorting to legal action against Britain, because London had allowed the sewers to flood into rivers in London and in the Scottish town of Whitburn, after rainstorms.

Britain's Daily Mail reported on July 5 that, following heavy rains on preceding days, some 20,000 tons of raw sewage was flushed into the River Thames, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of fish.

“The waste water collecting systems in London and Whitburn are being allowed to spill untreated waste waters from storm water overflows too frequently and in excessive quantities,” it said in a statement.

The Commission also said it was issuing a final written warning to Spain over negligence in sewage spills in the area of Playa de la Motilla on the eastern coast of the country.

“I urge Spain to clean up its act swiftly. Should it not, the Commission will consider asking the court to impose fines,” EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in the statement.

Swimmers using nearby beaches are particularly at risk by faecal bacteria and viruses present in the sewage overspills.

Other forms of life could face extermination by the rampant growth of algae, which is the result of excessive nitrates and phosphates in the waters.

Countries with sewers that carry both rainwater and human waste have been under pressure by EU's environmental watchdog.

British beaches slumped down the EU cleanliness rankings for a second year running in June.

ZHD/ZAP/MB