THERE are fears for the health of fish and wildlife in a nature reserve's brook after the water quality was found to be "poor".

Friends of Laugherne Brook, a community group created to protect the nature reserve in Sapphire Crescent, Worcester, tested the water quality levels as part of the Great UK WaterBlitz campaign.

Members Bertie Ballinger and Margaret Layland tested the brook at the Oldbury Road playing field on September 20 and at Broadway Grove on September 22.

Mr Ballinger said: "We have been in contact with the Environment Agency since we did our tests - they showed that the water quality in the brook is poor."

A summary of the Laugherne Brook test data on Great UK WaterBlitz reads that the brook has "poor ecological status" while "high phosphate concentrations may also indicate a local pollution source."

Mr Ballinger believes industry and new home developments as part of the problem. 

He added: "They're building all these new homes in the drainage catchment area for the brook, getting rid of its natural drainage.

"This causes quicker run-off and so a lot more water gets into the brook much quicker than usual."

Samples taken from Laugherne Brook at Oldbury Road playing fields in September showed moderate to high levels of nitrate and phosphate. (Image: Bertie Ballinger)

"One example is the development between Oldbury Road and Martley Road, Elgar Park."

Worcester News has contacted Bloor Homes, the developer behind Elgar Park, for comment which it did not provide before our deadline.

Mr Ballinger joined the Friends of Laugherne Brook group two-and-a-half years ago.

Mr Ballinger said: "It's all about making the environment cleaner in the brook, which is why testing the water is so important.

"The health of the wildlife and fish in the brook is the biggest problem.

"But there's only so much we can do in terms of the brook and that's why the Environment Agency are so important - it's their remit.

"We hope we can increase testing regularly in the brook, but we would need extra guidance and equipment from the Environment Agency to do so."

As reported, Elisabeth The Chef, based in Lower Broadheath, and Civil Environmental Project Services in Bidford-upon-Avon were each given fines last week after being found to have caused trade effluent to pollute Laugherne Brook in September 2017.

Mr Ballinger said: "I'm personally pleased that the Environment Agency has been able to get something done on this - to hold companies to account for pollution."