Polluted liquid in ditch 'totalled 2,000 bathtubs'

The amount of polluted liquid - oil and water - removed from a ditch near homes in Market Harborough was equivalent to almost 2,000 bathtubs, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

Officials previously said they believed the oil was tipped down a drain on the A6, near the eastern edge of the town, and flowed into the watercourse.

The EA said it was alerted to the pollution in the ditch between the A6 and Simborough Way on 20 March.

Working from 21 March until Friday, the EA said it removed about 150 tonnes of liquid waste and 16 tonnes of contaminated solids.

Adrian Troughton, who lives near the watercourse, previously told the BBC the pollution had caused an "overpowering" stench, which he described as "absolutely nauseating".

Ben Thornely, area flood and coastal risk manager at the EA, said: "The minute we got out of our cars, we could smell the oil pollution, despite the fact there was housing and open land between us and the pollution.

"It was having a real impact on the community."

Contractors were called to excavate the concrete-lined ditch, which had "luckily" contained the waste rather than feeding it into any nearby rivers - something that could have been "very significant" for wildlife.

Thornely added: "They removed over 150 tonnes of polluted liquid, so oil and water - the equivalent of almost 2,000 bathtubs - and they also removed 16 tonnes of contaminated soil, branches, woods, leaves, etc.

"They left a few oil absorbent booms on site, which will just suck up the last remaining bits of oil.

"There is likely to be a little bit of residue left over, but that should naturally biodegrade with time."

A reinspection is due to take place on Wednesday and an investigation into the pollution is ongoing.

Thornely said: "The impact of this could have been hugely significant and luckily it was contained.

"But we shared the community's and the public's disgust at this type of pollution and the damage it has on the environment. It could have been very, very significant."

He added: "It's hard to comprehend the mentality of someone who's willing to dump this amount of oil in the environment."

The EA has asked for anyone with any information about the pollution to get in touch and has urged anyone needing to dispose of oil to use a registered waste carrier.

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