Environment Agency investigates water quality after fish deaths

The Environment Agency is investigating an incident in Oxfordshire that has resulted in the death of thousands of small fish.

Officers from the organisation were called to the Thames Farmoor Reservoir water intake on the River Thames yesterday (November 12th) after more than 10,000 dead fish were discovered.

Thames Water operates the reservoir, which is located approximately five miles west of Oxford.

On its website, the company promotes the Farmoor reservoir as a recreational site where members of the public can take countryside walks, follow a wetlands trail or even go sailing.

Mark Ormrod, environment manager at the agency, commented: "While we are uncertain what has caused the death of these fish at this stage, we are experienced in dealing with this type of incident and are mitigating any impacts where we can."

He added that Environment Agency officers had taken water samples from the site and were awaiting the results.

Thames Water added this comment this morning,

"Water taken from the river does not directly enter the water treatment works. As a precautionary measure the intake has been closed following advice from the Environment Agency."