Waterway Notices / Advice - Pollution Incident, South Mill Weir, River Stort

Please be aware that we were notified of a mechanical failure at a treatment plant which resulted in sewage being discharged into the River Stort, near South Mill Weir, for approximately eight hours on Friday 4th September. The Environment Agency, as the investigating authority, has assessed the discharge as a Category 2 – significant pollution incident.

Our Environment Team is aware of a number of reports of dead fish being spotted in the area and we share the concerns of local river users, particularly those planning to take part in paddle activities.

For the safety of those using the water, we would advise anyone planning to take to the water in the area to exercise caution, we would recommend to await further guidance from the Environment Agency before entering the water. Please follow any advice provided by the Environment Agency regarding when it is safe to do so.

We will continue to liaise closely with our partner organisations and monitor the situation to help minimise the potential impact of the pollution on river users and the wildlife that calls our waterways home.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while this matter is being investigated.