Pollution fears after claims pipe spilled sewage in Gaywood river

Anglian Water has disputed the claim, saying "categorically" that the wastewater was contained in a field and did not end up in the waterway.

But the video clip, recorded shortly after the pipe burst, appears to show human waste running off the field in Grimston and into a stream which feeds the River Gaywood, a tributary of the River Great Ouse.

It was filmed by Gaywood River Revival, an environmental group concerned about repeated pollution of the waterway, on Tuesday (April 25).

The recording appears to show sewage from the burst pipe flowing at speed downhill towards the watercourse and pooling on the bank.

Mark Dye, spokesman for the Gaywood River Revival group (Image: Mark Dye)

Mark Dye, from the group, said: "Due to the gradient of the field, it means the sewage was pumped straight towards the chalk stream that feeds into the Gaywood River.

"This then flows into three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs) – Sugar Fen, Derby Fen and Hudson Fen.

"We are at a critical point now and if we continue to destroy this unique river it will be gone forever."

Chalk streams are one of the planet’s rarest habitats and Norfolk is home to a large number of these precious watercourses in the UK.

Norfolk has many of the UK's rare chalk streams, a habitat under threat due to human activity (Image: Newsquest)

Sewage spills can cause a surge of pollutants to enter waterways, causing algae blooms that suffocate chalk streams, killing plant and marine life.

Grimston is home to an Anglian Water sewage treatment works and according to Environment Agency data, wastewater was released into the Gaywood River for a total of 97 hours in 2022, during storm overflows.

The company claims this week's leak was "completely contained" in the field and the burst pipe was repaired promptly.

It said testing showed no pollution present in the water, with its team undertaking a "thorough clean up" of the spill.

 A spokeswoman said: “At Anglian Water, we work tirelessly to protect and enhance the environment. The impact of the burst was contained in the field. 

"As a precautionary measure, we sampled the water and sent the samples to the Environment Agency who confirmed there was no pollution present in the stream. A thorough clean-up of the field is now being undertaken."

READ MORE: Anglian Water bosses to be quizzed over Norfolk sewage

Human waste, including wet wipes and sanitary pads, were found strewn across the field after the sewage spill (Image: Mark Dye)

But tests conducted at the scene by Russell Biggs, member of Gaywood River Revival, on Tuesday showed high levels of ammonia, which indicates this leak was from a pipe carrying sewage.

Ammonia is a chemical that can make river habitats become toxic and cause organisms to suffocate.

The citizen scientist, who is trained to monitor water pollution in the River Wensum, said: "A reading this high suggests we are in serious trouble.

"Tap water normally reads 0.01ppm but here we had more than 6ppm. Levels this high would have killed any invertebrates, fish or eels living in the stream.

Samples taken at the site of the stream found high levels of ammonia present (Image: Russell Biggs)

The incident comes a day after the government announced water companies will face new legally binding targets to cut sewage discharges into UK rivers.

READ MORE: Norfolk's 'dying' rivers 'need extra council protection'

Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Gaywood South (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor for Gaywood South, Rob Colwell added: "Anglian Water has been called out numerous times to fix this problem pipe. Why are they unable to fix it long-term?

“The issue of sewage is upsetting the local community and country as a whole."

Without immediate action to protect the county's rare chalk streams, Mr Dye fears they may soon be gone for good due to mismanagement, the damage caused by dredging and the repeated discharge of sewage. 

Mr Dye added: "These are England’s rainforests and like the Amazon our rare chalk streams are in a really tragic state. The Gaywood River has been left to decay and it is dreadful to see. 

“In a few years’ time and if no action is taken, will we be talking about the death of this unique habitat?”