THE Environment Agency is being asked to discuss pollution in Laugherne Brook with city councillors.

The agency, which is responsible for looking after Worcester’s watercourses, will be invited to a meeting of the city council’s environment committee.

Concerns have been raised about Laugherne Brook in particular after tests found the water quality to be “poor”.

The testing came after prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency resulted in fines being handed to two companies for polluting the brook.

TESTING: Bertie Ballinger of the Friends group, which has been testing the water quality of the brookTESTING: Bertie Ballinger of the Friends group, which has been testing the water quality of the brook (Image: Bertie Ballinger)

Elisabeth the Chef and Civil Environmental Project Services caused trade effluent to pollute 3km of the brook in 2017, killing hundreds of fish.

At a committee meeting on Tuesday (November 5), St John’s councillor Richard Udall said: “I’m increasingly concerned about the water quality of some of our rivers, streams and waterways.

“Some prosecutions have taken place after pollution in Laugherne Brook, which took a very frustrating seven years to get to court, but finally a conviction was secured.

“There is legitimate concern that the brook is still polluted. Most of it is within our land so I am concerned about how we can monitor the quality of the water of the Laugherne Brook, which flows into the River Teme, which in turn flows into the Severn.

READ MORE: Laugherne Brook in Worcester still polluted after tests

READ MORE: Two companies fined after polluting brook causing fish to die

“The Friends of Laugherne Brook have done their own testing and the figures have been quite horrific so it’s a problem of water run-off going into the brook, which is damaging wildlife and damaging water courses further downstream.

“And I’m sure Laugherne Brook isn’t unique - I’m sure it’s happening on water courses across the city.”

READ MORE: 500 fish found dead in polluted water at Laugherne Brook

Bertie Ballinger of the Friends group, which was set up to protect the Laugherne Brook Nature Reserve, is excited the Environment Agency has been invited to attend a committee meeting.

“The Environment Agency does great work testing and looking after our rivers and brooks, it isn’t an easy task,” he said.

“After their successful prosecutions relating to pollution in the Laugherne Brook, I have been in contact with them to arrange a day for them to attend and do some testing with the Friends of Laugherne Brook.

“But Laugherne Brook isn't the only watercourse in the city and having the agency attend a meeting will give councillors and members of the public a forum where they might question what steps are being taken to protect and improve water quality throughout our great city.”