Pollution from treatment works killed fish

A water company has confirmed one of its treatment works was the source of pollution that killed thousands of fish in a Cornish river.

Pennon Group, which owns South West Water, said the pollution in St Austell River "occurred as a result of a delivery by a third party to our treatment works" in the Pentewan Valley.

It said it was working with the Environment Agency on the investigation.

The agency said potentially thousands of fish including trout, eels and lamprey were killed by liquid lime in the river, which is also known as the White River, on 19 June.

The Environment Agency had classified the incident at Menagwins Wastewater Treatment Works as "high category".

The agency said on Tuesday its officers had taken samples of dead fish from the scene.

"This will be used as evidence for our regulatory action to bring those who pollute the environment to account," it said.

Cornwall councillor for the area James Mustoe visited the site of the pollution and said the sight was the "worst he'd ever seen".

Liquid lime, or calcium hydroxide, is commonly used to treat water as it can alter the acidity levels and and remove impurities.

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