Environment Agency improves water quality after oil leak

The Environment Agency has helped to improve the water quality of an estuary after an oil leak.

Officers from the group had been informed that fuel was spilling into the Torridge waterway from a derelict dredger, as a 'rainbow sheen' could be seen in the water over 500 metres.

They discovered that diesel had been leaking from a fuel tank and carried out a clean-up operation on the estuary to remove the fuel from the water.

Spokesman for the Environment Agency Andrew Leyman said: "Water entered the hull causing a quantity of diesel to spill into the surrounding estuary."

They managed to recover more than 100 gallons of diesel from the dredger, as well as clean up the surrounding areas.

Mr Leyman continued: "Owners should check vessels and, if necessary, remove any surplus fuel if the craft is left on the foreshore for long periods of time."

This comes after Environment Agency Wales warned people to check their heating oil tanks, as rising temperatures after a long period of cold weather could cause leaks, which may then affect water quality if the fuel spills into nearby rivers.

Posted by Claire Manning