Harrow Brook again. The supply of contaminant seemed to have stopped and a little overnight drizzle had diluted things a bit, but it was still noticeably blue. We walked upstream again from the Harrowbrook roundabout, taking pics until we came to the end of the accessible bank-side:
Progress being foiled, we back-tracked to the car and drove to a spot upstream where the brook enters the industrial estate.
There, next to the Ashby Canal, we found where the blue stuff was still trickling into the brook:
We traced the outflow to a ditch which was still bright blue, where the foot-bridge was adorned with a couple of "portable loo" panels:
A little further up we found where the blue stuff was entering the ditch... a pipe leading from the unit in the corner of the industrial estate:
Even further up, on the other side of the A47, there was no blue:
Now, I'm not an expert on these matters, but they say that if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck...
so maybe this one is a toilet-duck?
Here's what's in the compound of that unit in the corner of the industrial estate:
No names, no pack-drill. Nothing is proven yet. The E.A. can call this one.
THE SMALL(ish) PRINT... (updated 23/07/2016)
By submitting a comment to this blog you grant me permission to reproduce its content and to reproduce the submitted name/URL in attribution. I will leave your content in its intended place and in its unedited form unless one or more of the following apply:
If you ask me to modify, move or delete your content, I’ll consider making the requested change(s) so long as there’s no significant alteration of the context of the content or of any debate associated with it;
If you change your email address or URL, I’ll update these details in older comments so that I'm not displaying dead links;
If I decide to change the theme or layout of this blog, thus affecting the placement and/or visibility of comments, I’ll make whatever changes I see fit for the smooth running of this blog;
If any comment contains insulting profanity or other content which I deem to be causing or likely to cause trouble, I’ll edit or delete as I see fit for the smooth running of this blog. I’ll try to remember to display the reason(s) for whatever editing I do, so that folk aren’t left hanging wondering what happened and why. If you can at least try to "disguise" your swearing, it would be much appreciated.
Other things to consider:
Comments must contain at least 3 characters;
You can use some code in comments, feel free to give it a shot and see what works;
If adding pics, the recommended maximum dimension is 600px.;
Comments containing many links will be held for moderation;
I reserve the right to amend this policy in line with proven applicable current legislation;
Free Speech: you may well have the right to it, but you've no right to compel me to a) listen to it, or b) publish it!
Well done, i think you got to the "bottom" of that one. They{no names etc etc} probably thought no one would bother.
Yesterday afternoon after returning from our investigative walk I asked the E.A. if they had sent their local response unit, here's their response:
Hi
Yes officers did respond to the incident and tracked it back to the source you mention. The company you mention was the source and officers worked with them while they organised the clean-up at the source. The company was cautioned, directors interviewed and evidence collected which can be used in a prosecution.
Officers were onsite until late on Saturday evening and returned again on Sunday morning to check the clean-up and water quality.
I hope that helps
Regards
Hazardous Waste Team
Result!
Result indeed.
The contaminant contained formaldehyde. To be fair, I didn't need to be told that, its distinctive smell was evident on Saturday morning.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
"In view of its widespread use, toxicity, and volatility, formaldehyde poses a significant danger to human health."
"Formaldehyde is highly toxic to all animals, regardless of method of intake."
"Formaldehyde can be toxic, allergenic, and carcinogenic."
"Formaldehyde does not accumulate in the environment, because it is broken down within a few hours by sunlight or by bacteria present in soil or water. Humans metabolize formaldehyde quickly, so it does not accumulate, converting it to formic acid in the body."
Hmm...