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9
July 2013 – DF/XXX/13
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Restrictions on the Kennet lifted but Environment Agency investigation continues
The
Environment Agency is still appealing to the public for information about where
a pesticide that polluted the River Kennet between Marlborough and Hungerford last
week came from.
Environment
Agency officers have been investigating the source of the pollution, believed
to be chlorpyrifos, a common agricultural pesticide, and
have been taking samples
to assess the impacts on the water quality.
Samples taken
last week and over the weekend show that the pesticide has dissipated naturally
with the water flow and levels have dropped significantly since last week.
Public Health
England continues to work in partnership with the Environment Agency and
Wiltshire and West Berkshire Council after a pesticide polluted the River
Kennet between Marlborough and Hungerford.
Following the
latest round of water sample results, Public Health England has advised that
the previous restrictions asking the public and pets to avoid skin contact with
the water can be removed. The Food Standards Agency has also advised that there
should be no restrictions on eating fish caught in the river.
Paul Hudson from the Environment Agency said: “It is obviously great news
that the pesticide has dissipated naturally and that the precautionary
restrictions put in place have been removed following advice from Public Health
England and the Food Standards Agency.
“We are still
trying to trace the source of the pesticide, and we would appeal for anyone who
has information to come forward so that we can take steps to educate those
responsible and others to try to prevent it from happening again.
“We are also
meeting with business owners along the Kennet regularly to keep them informed
of the latest information.”
Environment
Agency investigations have shown that many macro-invertebrates were killed last
week, but there have been no reports of any fish killed.
Anyone with
any information about this incident, or any pollution or environment incident,
should contact us by calling our hotline number 0800 80 70 60.
Ends
