Environment agency declares brook safe

WALES'S Environment Agency has confirmed a polluted stream in a Cardiff suburb is safe after analysing samples taken from it last month.

The environment agency told The Cardiffian, Reservoir Maintenance Services Ltd, of Vale View, Barry, was responsible for the pollution of Whitchurch Brook in Rhiwbina. The agency has issued a written warning to the company.

On February 22 the Environment Agency received 12 calls from concerned Rhiwbina residents about Whitchurch Brook running white.

At the time officers from the Environment Agency confirmed the pollution had been caused by maintenance workers cleaning out the two nearby underground reservoirs, but were unable to name the company involved.

Analysis of the samples found pH levels in Whitchurch Brook were slightly affected. Results also showed levels of solids suspended in the brook were briefly raised above acceptable levels.

But the agency said these levels did not cause any problems to aquatic life and have since returned to normal.

Luke Merlini, Area Communications Officer for Environment Agency Wales said: "Reservoir Maintenance Services Ltd, have shown they have taken this incident very seriously. As such, we have issued them a warning letter and will not be taking any further action."

 A worker from Reservoir Maintenance Ltd said: "We are happy with the Environment Agency's findings."

The company declined to comment further.