06/09/2005 - A major investigation
is underway after dozens of fish died on a
tributary of the River Exe while contractors
were carrying out work for the Environment
Agency.
An estimated 300 young salmon and trout were
killed on the River Barle at the weekend after
polluted water escaped into the river from
a construction site to improve a gauging station.
The spill has affected a 130 metre stretch
of the river near Brushford.
Environment Agency officers went to the scene
after being alerted by the owner of a local
fish farm whose business was not affected
by the incident.
Work on the gauging station has now stopped
while the Agency investigates the circumstances
surrounding the polluting discharge that also
killed a small number of other fish species
including bullhead, loach and grayling.
‘We are treating this incident very seriously
and are carrying out an urgent investigation.
The pollution appears to have been confined
to a relatively short stretch of the river.’
said Kath Porter for the Environment Agency.
The dry summer conditions and low rainfall
has reduced flows in the River Barle. It is
understood most of the fish were in a series
of pools downstream of Brushford when the
pollution struck.
A full fish survey and biological survey
is being carried out on the Barle to assess
the impact of the discharge on the river.
