Littleham Brook pollution update - 22 September

Our priority remains understanding any potential risk to human health.

We have started receiving results from laboratory analysis today. Once all results have been received, we will share them with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who will assess any potential public health risks. Our advice not to bathe in the affected area will remain in place until we receive UKHSA's assessment.

We understand this will be disappointing for those who use and enjoy the water. However, it is important that any decision to change our advice is based on a full assessment of the available evidence.

We are assessing the potential to work with our pollution remediation contractor to remediate any remaining polluting material in the Littleham Brook and have been out on the river over the weekend putting some sandbag walls in place at two locations to limit any further downstream movement of the pollutant.

This remains a live investigation. At this stage, we cannot provide details of any individual, business or organisation that may be linked to the incident. Releasing information about potential sources before our investigation is complete could compromise any criminal investigation or future legal proceedings.

Our officers continue to gather and assess evidence to establish the cause of the pollution and identify those responsible. If we find evidence of offences, we will consider the most appropriate regulatory or enforcement action.

Any enforcement action will be taken in line with the Environment Agency's Enforcement and Sanctions Policy. This means we will consider the available evidence, the seriousness of any offence, the environmental harm caused, and which enforcement response is most appropriate in the circumstances.

We understand the concern this incident has caused locally. Protecting rivers, coastal waters, wildlife and the communities that depend on them is a vital part of our work. Where the evidence shows environmental legislation has been breached, we will take appropriate action.