Another brook is polluted

A drainage ditch that runs off Edgware Brook near Stanmore Marsh in Whitchurch Lane, Canons Park, has been described by one local resident as absolutely foul.

Pauline Morris of Cloyster Wood, is in charge of the environment for Canons Park Residents' Association and has to walk past the brook whenever she goes shopping.

She said: "I think it is appalling that the brook has been left to get into such a disgusting state. In the summer, the smell is intolerable and it has got progressively worse."

A spokeswomen for the Environment Agency said: "We received a call on February 13 from a resident reporting a bad smell and discoloration of the Edgware Brook.

"We arranged for Thames Water to visit the site that evening. It found that a blocked sewer was causing a discharge into the brook and worked overnight to clear the blockage and clean up the brook."

The agency inspected the scene the next morning to confirm that the problem had been resolved.

The spokeswoman added: "Whilst this was an isolated incident, there is a wider problem with untreated waste water discharging directly into many of London's rivers and streams, including the Edgware Brook, due to the misconnection of pipes from domestic properties.

"Toilets, sinks and washing machines are plumbed into the surface water drains, which take rainwater directly to rivers and streams, instead of to the foul water drains, which take effluents to sewage works for treatment.

"Often these mistakes are made by DIY enthusiasts or plumbers."

In November, Kenton Brook was found to be polluted and two weeks ago work started to clear pollution in the Wealdstone Brook in Kenton.

The Environment Agency has warned householders to check their household connections and get expert advice on correcting any problems. A copy of the agency's leaflet Making the Right Connections can be obtained by calling 08459 333111.

Pollution can be reported to the to the Environment Agency's 24-hour freephone hotline on 0800 807060.