Heavy rains over Christmas and the New Year have helped flush out some contaminated silt deposit, but appearances indicate that some are still remaining.
The Environment Agency has undertaken a survey of the Duke of Northumberland’s River between Mereway weir and Silverhall Park on January 6th. Fortunately, they did not report any findings of residual sewage on that stretch of the river system.
Thames Water will be continuing their own further investigation into remaining sewage deposits on the river, and London Wildlife Trust will immediately begin working closely alongside them to establish a methodology as to how to deal with the issue.
Meanwhile, the oxygen levels in the river have returned to their normal levels. However, it will be several months before we can hope to see life in the river again. London Wildlife Trust will be undertaking their own monitoring, as will Thames Water and the Environment Agency to see the rate at which the populations of invertebrates return. Eventually the river will be re-stocked with fish.
Currently, there are still few signs of life on the river apart from moorhens and mallard. If you do see anything however, please submit your sightings to us.