In the last post, I discussed how the regions worst environmental polluter, private failing water company Severn Trent had dumped

64 years worth of raw sewage dumped into rivers and streams.

The Rivers Trust had uncovered much about the industry and how it is failing to protect environment from serious harm, and they have published an interactive map, which I urge everyone to look at.  

YOU CAN VISIT THE MAP AT THIS LINK. 

We are fully aware of how Severn Trent polluted parks in Smethwick, via their failed asset network, but a recent incident has again exposed not only them, but also their failed regulation by The Environment agency, who when you report an incident such as the one that I did, simply call out the polluter to investigate.

On 29th April 2021, I was at Sheepwash Nature Reserve in Tipton when we had the most significant fall of rain in over a month in that afternoon. On standing in the area of John’s Lane pool, and with The Groveland Brook course behind me, (and see map below), I suddenly became aware of a fowl stench emanating from this watercourse. It literally stank of shit. 

On looking behind me , I could see that the water was jet black, and where it met the main River Tame, you could see the colour contrast visibly. 

It was clear that there was broken down particulate matter amongst the noir, as well as the smell,

I traced it back to the area where it enters the reserve at John’s Lane/Morrsion road where it disappears under a field and heads towards Dudley Port.

There were clearly rags in this mix, and unbroken down wet wipes.

I immediately called The Environment Agency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60, to report the issue. I clearly stated the location and details, and obviously, this was then left in their hands, (or not as the case may be.)  😥

I took some video, and also some pictures. The one below shows the gelatinous mix of brown and algae formed which stained the brook.

The following day, the 30th, the rain had subsided, and I saw that several items had been left along the brook, including sanitary towels and wet wipes. Some of these corresponded with the level that the brook had reached. These items were consistent with another STW pollution incident in Walsall , where a number of fish were found dead after sewage had overflowed into a lake. On this occasion they sent out a specialist company to clean up the mess.

Still in the brook

I also reported the matter to the council, and later requested feedback on what happened, having been called back by the EA and told they were sending out Severn Trent to investigate.

I looked at the Rivers Trust maps, and can see that there are two STW assets in this area, The Horseley Heath Storage Tank and Manhole 34. Both of these have apparent permits for discharge consent, though of what I am not sure.

Obviously, this network is not just limited to this, and is underground, so this is where any investigation would need to determine what had gone wrong here.

On hearing nothing back from the EA, and having the incident number, I found out that Severn Trent had claimed to have gone out and found “nothing”!

I do not know what it is they were looking for exactly, but they are liars.

What concerns me here, as I have expressed before, is that when you have a situation where the regulator merely calls the polluter to deal with their own pollution, what chance of them finding any and writing it off when they know they will get fined, and safe in the knowledge that that regulator will not check to confirm the substantiated incident.

This is another example also of poor brownfield building policy in already overcrowded areas, and yet some political figures believe it a good idea to add more onto those already served by an incapable sewage network run by incompetent seven figure salary scum, from Coventry.

Litterwatch Volunteers have recently spent a great deal of time around this site, and I’m sure they do not want to see this type of “litter” arising through the soft underbelly, and neither do The Friends of Sheepwash. In this regard, I will give the new website still under construction another plug.

Protect Sheepwash Local Nature Reserve | Just another WordPress site

I CAN ONLY STATE THAT THIS COMPANY’S APATHY AND LIES NEED TO BE CHALLENGED, AND SO PLEASE MONITOR THIS BROOK COURSE AND OTHERS LIKE IT ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND IF YOU SEE ANY POLLUTION ARISING CALL THE EA ON THE HOTLINE NUMBER, BUT PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AND VIDEO SO THE LIARS CAN BE CHALLENGED.