21/03/2005 - A 1.5 mile
stretch of the Roxbourne in Harrow has been
severely polluted with up to 40,000 litres
of red diesel oil – equivalent to one petrol
tanker load.
Officers from the Environment Agency were
called out on Wednesday March 16 at 3.30pm
after several members of the public reported
seeing the red oil in the water.
An investigation and clean-up operation was
launched and officers from the Environment
Agency stretched a number of booms across
the river to contain the oil and prevent it
from travelling further downstream, affecting
a wider area. Absorbent pads were initially
used to try and soak up some of the oil but
due to the enormous quantity in the brook
a tanker will be needed to draw it all out.
The Environment Agency, with assistance from
Thames Water, is tracing the source of the
pollution. Public water supplies are NOT in
any danger as there are no water extraction
points in the vicinity.
As well as investigating the cause of the
pollution the Environment Agency are now assessing
the impact of the pollution on the river.
The oil has affected the oxygen supply suffocating
many fish and invertebrate life, such as worms,
beetles and freshwater shrimps. There is also
concern for other wildlife such as birds in
the area that may be affected.
Sarah Hargreaves, environment officer, said:
“Our officers have never seen anything as
bad as this. It is a river of oil at the moment
and due to the toxicity we are concerned.
Thankfully, the vigilant public alerted us
to the incident, which made sure we were able
to stop it being much, much worse. The booms
we have set up have caught the end of the
plume so we hope it will not effect the Yeading
Brook West which is downstream.”
The brook runs through Newton Farm Ecology
Park and Newton Park West and people are advised
to keep their dogs away from the brook until
it has been properly cleared up.
The Environment Agency would like to hear
from members of the public who may be able
to help the investigation. Pollution incidents
can be reported by calling the Environment
Agency’s emergency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
