Dead eel found after landfill tanker leaks into River Arun

Specialist Environmental Agency teams are working to reduce the impact of pollution in the River Arun today after an overturned tanker leaked waste water into the river and high levels of ammonia had been found in the watercourse (Wednesday December 4).
Picturesque scenes from the Arun, which runs from just south of Horsham to where it joins the sea beyond Arundel at Littlehampton, and the Western RotherPicturesque scenes from the Arun, which runs from just south of Horsham to where it joins the sea beyond Arundel at Littlehampton, and the Western Rother
Picturesque scenes from the Arun, which runs from just south of Horsham to where it joins the sea beyond Arundel at Littlehampton, and the Western Rother

Detrimental impacts on wildlife are expected and a dead eel has been found immediately downstream from the leakage.

An Environment Agency team was called into action after a tanker carrying highly polluting leachate (waste water) from a landfill facility overturned on Titnore Lane near the A27/A280 roundabout near Angmering yesterday afternoon.

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Leachate has leaked from the tanker and entered Black Ditch watercourse (a tributary of the River Arun) through the road gulleys and drainage systems.

A dead Eel has been seen immediately downstream of where the leachate has entered the Black Ditch.

Simon Moody of the Environment Agency said: “Our teams are responding to two significant incidents and are taking all necessary steps to minimise the impact of these on the local environment.

“We will remain on site at both incidents to work alongside our professional partners in ensuring that all action is taken to limit any damage as much as possible. We are currently investigating how these incidents occurred and will consider what action we will need to take as a result.”

Members of the public are encouraged to report any incidents of pollution to the Environment Agency’s 24 hour hotline on 0800 807060.