Pollution found in a tributary of the River Ure and River Ouse has been described as a “small-scale environmental disaster” amid concerns that wildlife has already been killed off.
The Environment Agency (EA) launched an investigation after local residents spotted discoloured water and a strong smell of ammonia coming from a stream in Marton-cum-Grafton last week.
Officials say they have now identified the source of the pollution in Bawter Carr Drain, but have declined to reveal further details.
Residents, however, believe the pollution got into the watercourse after work at the site of an old slurry lagoon to the west of the village, with investigators seen at the location in recent days.
Resident Mike Blunt, 62, from Marton-cum-Grafton, first noticed the smell last Thursday, with other villagers raising further concerns the following day.
He said:
“I was just cutting the lawn at the bottom of our drive. I looked into the stream and it was jet black.
I took a sample and it was stinking of ammonia terribly, so I informed the Environment Agency.”
The retiree said he had found dead leaves on two large willow trees which grow on the banks of the polluted trees, while other plants on the bank also appear to be wilting.
He added:
“They’re great big old willow trees and both of them are dying.
In a small scale, it’s an environmental disaster really because it will have killed everything in that watercourse.
My concern is that we’re a mile downstream. How many other trees and vegetation will be affected? The animals in that stream will have gone because they can’t survive what’s been coming down.”
An EA spokesperson said:
“Our specialist officers attended the site, identified the source of the pollution and oversaw the installation of barriers to stop further contamination reaching the River Ure.
Since then, we have seen a marked improvement in water quality in the river.
Alongside this, we have been working closely with both the landowner and a contractor brought in to remove pollutants to provide appropriate advice.
We are continuing to investigate the incident and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if appropriate.”
They added that ammonia levels in the watercourse were falling and showing a marked improvement since the incident was reported last week.
Following the discovery of the pollution, Yorkshire Water stopped water pumping at its Marton Moor site while the incident was investigated.
This caused a drop in water pressure, which prompted the utilities company to organise bottled water stations and deliver bottled water to vulnerable customers in the affected areas, mainly around Easingwold and Tollerton.
Yorkshire Water said on Wednesday that water pressure was now back to normal and it had closed bottled water stations.
A spokesperson added:
“The water quality in the taps meets our usual high standards, as it has throughout the last few days, despite the lower pressures.
We still have a presence in the area, finding and fixing leaks to help the system continue to recover.
We’d like to thank customers in the area for their understanding and patience while we dealt with the issues caused by the third-party pollution in the area, particularly during the current high temperatures.”
Councillor Arnold Warneken, Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, has spoken to local residents and drainage board officials about the incident, as well as liaising with the North Yorkshire director of public health.
He said:
“It’s devastating for wildlife, livestock and our whole community that such a big pollution event has taken place.
I’ve asked to be kept updated and will inform residents as soon as I receive it. Local residents tell me that the beck still looks like it might be contaminated, so it would be best to exercise caution for the time being, keeping all people and animals out of the water.”
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