Working with our volunteers, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency, as part of the ConnectRight campaign, we are trying to work out where some mystery pollution seems to be coming from. Appearing intermittently in a stream that feeds water to the reservoir, the pollution turns the water a milky white colour which sometimes has a pungent smell to accompany it. Now we are asking for local people to help solve the mystery and to help work out where this pollution is originating from.
Olton Reservoir was built in 1799 to supply the Grand Union Canal and is the largest area of open water in Solihull. It is home to a wide variety of waterfowl and the local sailing club use the water for leisure activities.
Alex May, environmental scientist, said: "This has really got us scratching our heads. We've been out on several occasions to see if we can find the source of this pollution, but frustratingly we haven't yet found it.
"Many people do not realise that what you put down your drain doesn't always end up in the sewage system. Drains that are intended only for rain water often end up being connected to a local canal, river or reservoir so if you pour something into this drain system it could end up polluting our waterways.
"With research showing that being next to water makes you happier and heathier it's not nice to visit our beautiful waterways and see pollution or smell bad smells. The 500 miles of waterways we look after across the West Midlands are beautiful places to visit throughout the year and are also really valuable habitats for wildlife. With help from the public we're determined to solve this problem at Olton Reservoir making it a special place for people and wildlife once more."
People living in the B91 and B92 are being urged to check their plumbing and to make sure their drains are connected to the correct drainage system and to live by the mantra of ‘only rain down the drain'. Washing machine, toilets and shower/bath drains can be misconnected so instead of draining into the sewers they drain directly into our waterways which, in severe cases, can harm or even kill the local wildlife.
If anyone has any information about where this pollution is coming from or would like to report a misconnection, please contact us on 03030 404040.
The ConnectRight campaign is a partnership between environmental regulators, water companies, authorities and other professional and interested organisations working together to reduce water pollution from drains and sewers: http://www.connectright.org.uk/
