Warning about toxic substances in drains

Christchurch Council, The Environment Agency and Wessex Water have joined together to issue a warning to people about the dangers of pouring toxic substances down drains following an incident which killed fish in Bure Brook, Highcliffe, Christchurch. Residents in the area first noticed the stream had turned white and reported a ‘creosote-like’ smell to The Environment Agency. They also identified the outfall from which this substance appeared to be coming, which was close to Smugglers Road North.  The next day dead fish were discovered in the stream. As the outfall belongs to Wessex Water, their Streamclean team were called in and, with an Environment Officer, were able to track the unpleasant odour to the highway drain with the most prominent smell – where they found visible signs of pollution. This was about one kilometre from the stream. Samples were taken at this point and sent away for testing by The Environment Agency. Christchurch Council’s Highways team were contacted and they immediately attended and removed the remaining liquid from the road drain and also backwashed the drain to remove any residual. This prevented any further discharge to the Bure Brook.Now all three authorities are keen to raise awareness of the dangers of depositing materials in drains. Emma Gilson from The Environment Agency said: “Most surface water drains, including land drains and road drains, should carry only uncontaminated rainwater, as they will lead to a local river, stream or soakway. Therefore no substances should ever be poured down these drains, instead they should be taken to an appropriate waste facility, which in the case of domestic waste will be the local civic amenity site. “Clare-Marie Dobing from Wessex Water added: “Wessex Water takes incidents of pollution in its sewerage system very seriously and has a team dedicated to identifying unauthorised substances and minimising the impact they have on water courses and livestock. Anyone found to have released such substances into the sewerage system is liable for prosecution.” Robin Harley, Countryside Officer at Christchurch Council, said: “Around 50 fish were found to have died from this pollution. This incident shows how a thoughtless act can have very damaging consequences to wildlife some distance away.”Investigations are still ongoing as to the substance concerned. The results will reveal exactly what was poured into the sewerage system in this case.Any pollution incidents can be reported to The Environment Agency’s 24hr incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60