13/04/2006 - Today the
Environment Agency has acted swiftly to deal with
a pollution incident involving sewage discharging
from a foul sewer in Westerham near Sevenoaks
in Kent.
Early this morning, an Environment
Agency Officer spotted a large volume of sewage
flooding out of a manhole in the main road located
just outside the picturesque village of Westerham.
The Officer traced the flow
of sewage into the River Darent, which is only
just recovering from another recent pollution
incident involving sewage. He promptly contacted
the local farmer who quickly blocked off the flow
of the pollutant by creating a dam in front of
the flowing sewage. This has resulted in the sewage
now flooding across a field, where the impact
is far less.
Thames Water, who are responsible
for the foul sewer, are now trying to clear the
blockage and are arranging to clear up the area.
The Environment Agency is now
instigating a formal investigation into the pollution
incident.
There have been previous incidents of pollution
in this vicinity resulting in a significant fish
kill and a full investigation into the matter
is ongoing.
Paul Bennett, Environment Management
Team Leader for Kent, said: "Sewage entering
a river or stream can have a devastating effect
on the wildlife living there.
"The River Darent is one
of the many rivers impacted by the drought situation
affecting South East England. Polluting discharges
into rivers affected by drought can have a far
greater consequences due to low flow situations".
The clean up operation will
be continuing during the day.
Members of the public can report
incidents of pollution to the Environment Agency
via our 24 hour hotline on 0800 807060.
