Trying to locate the source of pollution
INVESTIGATORS have not been able to locate the source of a pollutant that killed hundreds of fish in the River Soar.
An inquiry was launched by the Environment Agency after boaters saw hundreds of tench, bream and other species floating lifelessly in the water on July 27, between Sileby lock and Cossington lock.
Fisherman Michael Gray reported the incident at 1pm on that Saturday, after he was told about the devastation by boating friends and went to see what had happened for himself.
He said he saw hundreds of fish dead in the water.
“There were some big fish in there,” he said. I was told there were quite a few big pike. It’s not a nice thing.”
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: “We have concluded our investigation into a fish kill at Cossington on the River Soar.
“While we believe the cause of the fish deaths was due to a pollutant entering the river, we have been unable to trace the source.”
Officers from the agency initially attended the site and found 40 dead fish and more than 100 gasping at the surface of the water.
Mr Gray, 63, said that he went there again on Sunday, August 4, and saw some of them had been washed downstream to Barrowupon-Soar.
The agency also issued advice to the public.
It said: “If anyone witnesses any signs of pollution in a watercourse, such as a discolouration of the water, or sees fish in distress, they should contact the Environment Agency round-the-clock hotline on 0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible.”