In November 2020, we posted Devon quarry operator pollutes River Yealm. The pollution incident was investigated by an environment officer, who "traced it back to a quarry operation further up the catchment." The Environment Agency said "rainfall had caused contaminated run-off to escape the containment area of a quarry-related operation and enter the river."
Quarry turns River Yealm white https://t.co/meBm58Fjrf pic.twitter.com/6nLrtzTPDU
— Spotlight (@BBCSpotlight) November 17, 2020
Today, just two years later, it was reported that the River Yealm has been polluted again:
So frustrating to see another likely china clay spill on this important South Hams river. Given the pressures our rivers are under this is the last thing we needs and undoes lots of great restorative work... https://t.co/q9pgWPSwCA
— Laurence Couldrick (@LaurenceWRT) December 5, 2022
The source of pollution has now been identified. More than 12 miles of waterways are affected:
The Environment Agency (EA) said it was trying to stop the contaminant being discharged in the River Piall, which flows into the River Yealm, in the South Hams.The EA declined to reveal the source of the pollution due to possible enforcement action.
