Environment Agency investigates ‘fish kill’ on Britford farm

Peter Hounslow, 59, found a milky white substance in a tributary of the River Avon at East Harnham Farm, Britford Lane, on Tuesday, March 18.

Mr Hounslow quickly reported the pollution to the Environment Agency and Wiltshire Council, and samples were taken the next day.

A notice left on a gate by Environment Agency officers said they visited to ‘gather evidence’ and they ‘suspected’ an offence was committed.

Affected areas later turned a rusty red in colour.

The pollution photographed on Friday, March 21 (Image: Newsquest) The Environment Agency is working to identify the substance, which arrived in the farm's ditches and waterways through a roadside drain.

The agency said the impact was “contained” and limited to non-endangered fish.

Mr Hounslow's family moved to the farm – which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest – in 1976 and look after beef cattle.

He hopes there will not be a long-lasting impact on the water that could affect his animals and local wildlife, such as a nesting swan.

“I spotted it just before midday on Tuesday when I was taking the dog for a walk,” Mr Hounslow said.

“At that time, it was very milky in the water, and you couldn't really see to the bottom. It was like that for a couple of days.

“I noticed on Friday (March 21) that it had gone a rust colour.

“I saw the Environment Agency investigators trying to trace where they thought it had come in when I went down to have a look on Wednesday.

“There was another team of Environment Agency people who were picking up dead fish a little bit later on. It seems to have gone quiet since then.

“I was told it would take probably a week for them to work out what it was.”

There was a nesting swan next to the stretch of water where the dead fish were found (Image: Newsquest) Patrolling workers initially told Mr Hounslow they believed the substance might have originated from a gully on the A338 but would have a better idea of where it came from when it has been analysed.

“I think it was a considerable discharge,” he said.

“Fortunately, I've not got animals out there. If you've got cattle and they are drinking it, you don't know what the effects will be.

“From my own point of view, it was rather alarming to come out and see it.

“Hopefully, it will turn out to be something fairly innocuous and not long-lasting.”

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An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Last week, Environment Agency officers investigated a fish kill on a tributary of the River Avon near Salisbury.

“The source of the pollution has not been established, and we are awaiting sample results to identify the pollutant.

“Patrols have confirmed that, fortunately, the impact is contained and limited to non-endangered small fish.

“There have been no environmental impacts observed on the main Hampshire Avon and the discoloration of the tributary watercourse has now cleared.

“We rely on the public as our eyes and ears and act on the intelligence they provide.

“If you see pollution in a watercourse, report it to our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060.”

Where the dead fish were found (Image: Newsquest) Parvis Khansari, corporate director at Wiltshire Council, said: “A complaint was made to our Public Protection team on March 20 about an overflowing foul sewer near to Harnham Trading Estate.

“Details of this complaint were passed on to the Environment Agency, as the lead authority for investigating incidents involving pollution to water courses.

“If members of the public have questions or concerns about the impact of this incident on wildlife or livestock then they should contact the EA incident hotline.”