Environment officers
are battling around
the clock to prevent fish from dying following
a major pollution incident at a lake in
Eastbourne, East Sussex.
Around five officers
are currently at the Shinewater Lake near
the Polegate Levels after reports at 11.45am
yesterday (Wednesday October 13) that a
substance believed to be sewage was flowing
into the water.
Shinewater Lake is home
to a country park, nature reserve and angling
facilities and there is a risk of major
impact on water quality and fish deaths
due to lack of oxygen and increasing ammonia
levels.
Environment Agency staff
are working with Southern Water to boost
oxygen levels in the water by deploying
aeration machines and hydrogen peroxide
dosing. There have been no reports of any
fish dying.
Attempts are also being
made to stop the source of the pollution
and Eastbourne Borough Council have advised
angling clubs not to fish the lakes and
Spray Water Sports Centre not to use the
lake.
James Humphrys, Environment
Agency Regional Director, said: “This is
a serious incident which has affected the
upper part of the Shinewater Lake.
“Environment officers
are currently on site collecting evidence
and sampling, and we have staff taking further
samples from the river and doing some ecological
monitoring.
“We would like to thank
members of the public for informing us of
this incident promptly, and we will fully
investigate the causes and impact of what
has clearly been a serious incident.”
The Environment Agency
believes it has traced the source of the
pollution and will oversee the remediation.
The investigation is ongoing and no further
details can be released at this stage.
Members of the public
can report pollution incidents by calling
the Environment Agency’s emergency hotline
on 0800 807060.
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Environment Agency officers
still working to clean Shinewater Lake
Environment Agency officers
are working hard to save wildlife at Shinewater
Lake in Eastbourne following a major pollution
incident at East Sussex watercourses in
the Polegate area on Wednesday (13 October
2010).
Five Environment Agency
officers are at the site, using specialist
re-oxygenation equipment to increase the
oxygen levels in the lake preventing the
loss of fish and local wildlife. The county
park lake and nature reserve is home to
numerous species of fish and other wildlife
and is a very popular venue with anglers
and walkers. Larger animals, including water
buffalo use water in the area for drinking.
Michael Turner of the
Environment Agency said: “The clean up operation
is going well so far, but this is a major
pollution incident and it will be some time
before the damage is rectified. We have
limited major damage to the lake, but there
is still a risk to local wildlife. Our emergency
officers have been working tirelessly around
the clock to control the pollution and we
are starting to see signs that the situation
is improving, with dissolved Oxygen levels
in the water improving.
“We will continue to
work with Eastbourne Borough Council and
the Health Protection Agency, as well as
Southern Water, to limit the damage and
to provide information to members of the
public. We continue to advise people to
stay out of contact with water in the area,
including by fishing. Shinewater Park is
still open to the public.”
“Once the work to limit
the pollution damage is complete, we will
continue to monitor the lake. We have started
an the investigation to find out exactly
what caused the spill in the first place.”
Eastbourne Council’s
Environmental Health team has put up signs
around the contaminated areas and is working
closely with the Environment Agency.
The Council would urge
everybody to keep clear of the lakes and
ditches until the clean-up has been successfully
completed.
A spokesperson for Eastbourne
Council said: “If anybody inadvertently
comes into contact with the dirty water,
they should wash themselves thoroughly with
soap and water. If symptoms of sickness
and diarrhoea become evident, they should
consult their GP.”
Last week, the council warned angling clubs
and a water sports club to keep away from
the lake until further notice.
