Wednesday 18 November 2020

Devon quarry operator pollutes River Yealm

On Monday, the Environment Agency received reports of the River Yealm changing colour:
 

The pollution incident was investigated by an environment officer, who: 
 "traced it back to a quarry operation further up the catchment"
Aggregate Industries is one of a small number of operators with quarries in the catchment.  

Aggregate Industries is also the company that wants to quarry Straitgate Farm. A watercourse from Straitgate feeds the mediaeval fishponds at Grade I Cadhay House. Numerous concerns have been raised. Is it any surprise? What would happen if a similar pollution event were to happen here?

Photo: Matt Austin

EDIT 24.11.20
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency continues to investigate the incident which affected a large stretch of the River Yealm on 16 November.
"Rainfall had caused contaminated run-off to escape the containment area of a quarry-related operation and enter the river."