Mike
Dunning - 13-Oct-2006 - The River Allen at Wimborne
was running clean again today following a rapid
response by the Environment Agency to a diesel
spill on a local industrial estate.
Agency officers swung into action
yesterday after several members of the public
reported seeing oil in the River Allen. The spill
was traced to Stone Lane Industrial Estate where
investigations are continuing to pin-point the
source of the pollution.
Absorbants and booms were used
by Agency staff to slow the spread the fuel oil.
The diesel was clearly visible as an iridescent
sheen on the surface of the water. The River Allen
flows through the centre of Wimborne. No fish
deaths have been reported.
The spill is thought to have
occurred following a delivery of fuel oil to a
premises on the industrial estate. Investigations
suggest a fuel pipe failed causing approximately
1,000 litres of diesel to escape – some of which
drained into the river.
‘We returned this morning and
replaced the absorbants. Very little oil was coming
under the booms which is encouraging as it shows
we have prevented the spread of oil downstream,’
said Ian Percy for the Environment Agency.
‘It was fortunate members of
the public responded so quickly to this incident
and rang our pollution hotline. We received six
or seven calls from people over a short period
of time,’ said Julian Wardlaw for the Environment
Agency.
Recent rainfall and a good flow
of water down the River Allen is thought to have
kept the environmental impact of the fuel spill
to a minimum. In the meantime, investigations
are continuing.
The Environment Agency’s free
24-hour hotline for reporting environmental incidents
such as fly-tipping or pollution is 0800 80 70
60.
