Woolton Hill nature reserve remains closed after sewage spill

The National Trust, owners of The Chase, an extensive area of open countryside, near the village of Woolton Hill, say the site is to remain closed, following an inspection on Thursday (September 13).
“We believe that the pollution has been cleared and await results from water samples that have been taken for analysis. The Chase will re-open when we have received results from Thames Water to show that the water is now clear,” said trust spokeswoman, Jo Dyson, who continued:
“We will update on the situation when we have received clear water samples and can announce that The Chase is to be re-opened to the public.”
The leak was first reported to the trust on Monday September 3, by a member of the public. The spill affected invertebrates in a stream, but the main lake and stream at the nature reserve were unaffected.
Thames Water spokeswoman, Natalie Slater, said a pump failure at Broad Layings pumping station had caused the le
Thames Water were unable to provide information on the amount of sewage leaked, but confirmed a pond and stream next to the pumping station were affected:
“As far as we know, none of the pollution entered the River Enborne or the lake (at The Chase),” said Ms Slater, adding: “We do not believe any fish have been affected.
A clean-up operation involved small tankers, 4×4 vehicles, aerating the water, and use of an aquatic hoover to minimise damage to habitat, along with a boom in the watercourse to halt the pollution.
In July 2006, a sewage leak at the same nature reserve killed thousands of fish, including protected species such as lamprey, native crayfish and bullhead.
After admitting polluting The Chase, Thames Water were fined over £40,000, in May 2008 at Reading Crown Court.
This followed an initial 2008 hearing at Newbury Magistrates Court, where the court heard the trust fenced off the site, after three boys were discovered neck deep in the water, having ignored warning signs about the spill.
In 2007, the nature reserve was polluted by the same, 36-year-old Thames Water sewage pipe and despite the pipe being routinely inspected once a month by Thames Water. High water levels at The Chase in 2007 ensured the damage was prevented from escalating to serious levels.