THERE have been reports of a influx of dead fish appearing along the banks of the River Banwell.

A concerned member of the public said: "There's dead fish all down the River Banwell, at least the part of the river that flows through Worle.

"I assume it has probably killed the whole river."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We responded to a report of slurry pollution which affected about 3km of the River Banwell near Wick St Lawrence on Saturday 18 February.

“Our officers traced the source of the pollution and steps were taken to stop it. Water samples have been taken for analysis and we believe more than a hundred fish, including stickleback, roach and pike, have been killed.

"This figure is subject to change as our investigation continues.

“If you see pollution in a river or fish in distress then tell our 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 807060.”

According to Envirotech, slurry pollution can impact both the air we and the wildlife around us breathe, and the water that every living thing relies on. 

If slurry, which can be used to fertilize crops, spills into the water, it can kill marine life and other wildlife, leading to environmental damage and the destruction of delicate ecosystems.

When slurry decomposes, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are released, leading to a reduction of oxygen levels in the water.

These incidents can result in significant fines and penalties, including fines of up to £50,000 issued by the Environmental Agency (EA). This is to ensure that there is little chance of a repeat offence.

To minimize the risk of river pollution from slurry, farmers are urged to store slurry in tanks or lagoons to prevent spills and ensure that it isn't leaked into bodies of water. 

Farmers are likewise encouraged to incorporate slurry into the soil or use it as a fertilizer in a controlled manner to minimize the risk of nutrient runoff.

This might include only spreading slurry at the permitted time of year, keeping children and animals away from the mixture, having multiple people present at all times, mixing on windy days, and ensuring good ventilation in the mixing area. 

Please contact the Environmental Agency if you happen to see any more signs of pollution.