Swift Environment Agency action saves water quality

A major environmental pollution incident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday (January 12th) after a lorry spilled more than 6,000 litres of diesel into waterways near Maidstone.

The accident happened following a multi-vehicle crash on the M20, during which the truck transporting the fuel spilled its load.

Officers from the Environment Agency attended the scene to deploy oil booms and prevent the spread of the pollutant.

The oil entered the Lilk Stream through the motorway drainage system and was carried as far as the top of Major Lakes fishery at Bearstead before it was contained.

Jan Leslie, spokesperson for the agency, commented: "Due to our prompt efforts, the impact of the pollution of the environmentally sensitive waterways has been greatly reduced and was prevented from spreading across the fishing lakes."

She added that full surveys will be undertaken to assess the impact of the spill on the affected stretch of river.

According to Environment Agency figures, oil and fuels are the most frequently reported type of pollutant found in inland waters, with more than 5,000 incidents involving these chemicals reported each year.

Posted by Claire Manning