River wildlife killed by pollution (From Worcester News)

River wildlife killed by pollution

4:30am Sunday 14th March 2010 in

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A KINGFISHER died and two geese were left covered in oil after part of a Worcestershire river became polluted.

An investigation has now been launched into how the large quantity of an unknown substance - thought to be some sort of oil - affected more than three miles of the river Salwarpe south of Bromsgrove and Newton Brook.

Contractors were brought in to place floating barriers and oil absorbent pads across a tributary stream to prevent further pollution spreading down the river after the Environment Agency was alerted to the incident about 4am on Thursday.

However, the pollution is likely to have an impact as far reaching as the river Severn just north of Worcester.

Environment officer Grant Milne said: “From what we have seen so far, we have reason to believe that someone may have poured this substance down a road gully in the Aston Fields area of Bromsgrove, possibly some time on Wednesday.

“It is so sad to see these beautiful birds suffering in this way as a consequence of someone’s thoughtless behaviour.

“We are still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by this nasty incident.

“Despite the majority of the oil having been contained with the oil absorbents we would expect residents to still see the effects of this pollution in terms of a rainbow effect on the top of the water.”

Mr Milne water companies had been alerted to increase their monitoring of drinking water intakes downstream of the incident.

The RSPCA also attended the incident and the two domestic geese were taken to a nearby rescue centre for treatment.

Anyone with information should call the Environment Agency in confidence on 08708 506 506 and ask to speak to its Kidderminster Office.