Mine water damaged Welsh river, EA says

The Environment Agency (EA) has revealed the probable cause of water quality damage in a Welsh river.

Inspectors have suggested that mine water leaked in to the River Neath last week (September 23rd), which caused the waterway to appear bright orange in colour.

EA members believe the pollution could have come from a number of sources, as the South Wales Coalfield has an array of different mine operations in the area.

Members of the public reported the problem to the organisation and a number of small fish were killed as a result of the spill, although EA chiefs have insisted the situation is now much improved.

"The next period of heavy rainfall may disturb some of the residual material in the river, but we don't expect this to cause further damage to the river or the local wildlife," commented Gavin Bown of Environment Agency Wales.

An urgent water monitoring programme was launched by the EA as soon as the sightings were made across the ten kilometre stretch of river.

Posted by Joseph Hutton