Officers are currently working to prevent pollution spreading into the River Lee downstream of the two Luton Hoo Lakes where sewage has entered both lakes from the River Lee killing an estimated one thousand small fish and at least a dozen larger ones.
The incident is thought to have been caused by overtopping of a weir following heavy rainfall. It is understood that the source of the pollution has now been traced and stopped and sandbags have been deployed at the end of the lower of the two Luton Hoo lakes to create a dam to stop any further pollution entering the river downstream of the lakes.
Fish are still in distress in the lakes and the Environment Agency is deploying aeration equipment in a bid to help prevent further deaths.
Jenny Melvin, Environment Management Team Leader said:
“This is a significant sewage pollution incident which has caused the death of a large number of fish. It’s distressing to see such damage to a beautiful part of our environment, which will impact on the local community and particularly anglers who enjoy fishing the lakes.
We are still on the ground assessing the impact of this incident and ensuring that all action is taken to prevent any further risk of harm to the river. We have started an investigation into its cause.”
