AGENCY AT LOUGHOR ESTUARY IN POLLUTION CLEAN UP
Environment Agency Wales is dealing with a significant discharge of oil-based timber treatment material that has accidentally been discharged into the Loughor estuary.
Environment protection officers are currently at the scene in an attempt to clean up as much of the pollution as possible. Air-filled booms and absorbent pads are being used on the marsh alongside the sewage treatment works at Penclawdd to contain and soak up the material. The pollution is floating on the surface of the water, has a yellow tinge and smells strongly of solvents.
It is estimated that 1,000 litres of timber treatment have entered the estuary, which is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). The material is toxic to fish and other aquatic life, and several dead invertebrates have already been recovered although no dead fish have been found. The Agency will continue to monitor the area for fish fatalities after the pollution is cleared. Other appropriate organisations including the National Assembly for Wales; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; the City and Council of Swansea, and the South West Wales Sea Fisheries Committee have been informed.
The company involved reported the incident when it occurred and is co-operating fully in both the investigation and clean-up effort. The Agency’s incident room at Swansea is open and will remain so for the rest of the day.
EA news contact: Kathryn Corcoran (01222) 770088
