Inquiry over pollution incident in River Wye

A pollution incident is being investigated in the River Wye after residents reported the water looking murky and discoloured.

An oily film, believed to be caused by engine oil, was spotted on the surface of the river at Rotherwas, Hereford, with one resident taking pictures of the water a few miles further down at Fownhope and Caplor.

Angler and fishery manager Rob Fox - who first noticed it at 14:00 GMT on Saturday - described the situation as "alarming".

Welsh Water confirmed a form of oil had made its way into the river, and said it would investigate the cause.

Mr Fox said he was 12 miles downstream from Rotherwas, and he could still see oil flowing past at 16:30.

"It's alarming as I can still see it, so I dread to think what it's like where it's got into the water," he said.

"Some of it is sticking to the bank and when you are fishing, you are immersed in the beautiful surroundings as well and yes, it's a one-off but the river is already weakened.

"The clean-up will now begin and it'll be on its way to the Severn Estuary. It would be far more drastic with lower water levels I'm sure, but it's just another thing to contend with."

Welsh Water said the pollution had come from one of its drains used for surface water during rain and that some form of oil had got into it.

"There's not been a rain. It's a pollution incident," a company spokesperson said.

Officers from the Environment Agency in Tewkesbury are also investigating and have since set up a small boom where the drain enters the river.

They will continue to monitor the site on Sunday and Monday.

Both Welsh Water and the agency have been checking the pipe at various intervals and testing the water, and have found no pollution from the pipe network on the B4399 Hereford to Holme Lacy Road, which had led them to believe the oil was coming from the Rotherwas Industrial Estate.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.