Urgent work after Oswestry canal polluted
Water has been pumped into a section of a canal to tackle an issue with pollution.
Environment Agency workers have been at Aston Locks along the Montgomery Canal, near Oswestry, to get oxygen back into the waterway after being alerted to fish in distress.
The source of the pollution was traced back to a nearby farm. However, the cause remains unknown and an investigation has been launched. An Environment Agency spokeswoman today said the fish were no longer in distress.
She said: "The Environment Agency received a report on January 6 of fish in distress due to a pollution incident stretching for one kilometre along the Montgomery Canal, near Oswestry.
"Our teams immediately attended the site and began oxygenating the canal, which increases oxygen levels in the water for the fish and other aquatic life.
"There are no longer signs of fish in distress and the aeration of the canal will continue into the weekend."
The spokeswoman added: "The source of the pollution has been traced back to a nearby farm and we are working with the landowner to stop any further waste from entering the canal."
The Canal & River Trust are also assisting with the investigation.
Helen Hall, of the Canal & River Trust, said: "Working with the Environment Agency, the trust is pumping water back into the canal to get oxygen back in the canal."
She added: "The Environment Agency is currently investigating the cause of the pollution."
