Woolton Hill sewage leak caused by pumping station failure

The Chase, an extensive area of open countryside, near the village of Woolton Hill, is owned by the National Trust and in a Wednesday September 5 statement, trust spokeswoman, Jo Dyson, confirmed the site was closed to the public whilst this latest leak was investigated by the trust, the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
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.
“We are able to confirm that the immediate pollution incident has been contained and the clean-up operation has been in progress since Tuesday September 4,” said Ms Dyson.
Thames Water spokeswoman, Natalie Slater, said a pump failure at Broad Layings pumping station had caused the leak:
“We are still investigating the cause of why this pump failed. We have had the pump running again since Monday night, (Sep 3) but are monitoring it closely,” said Ms Slater.
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, 4x4 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.
The public are requested to keep away from the site, due to health and safety concerns, with a review of the situation due on Thursday (September 13).