Understand
Investigation into foam-covered river in Thetford continues a year on
Overview
The Environment Agency's investigation into white foam that appeared on the River Thet in Thetford, Norfolk, causing the death of about 1,000 juvenile fish, is still ongoing one year later. While the source of the October incident was stopped, a similar incident occurred in December where the source could not be identified. Restoration efforts are underway, including plans to stock the rare chalk stream with a total of 15,000 fish.
Key points
- An investigation into white foam on the River Thet in Thetford, Norfolk, remains ongoing one year after the incident.
- The pollution event on 18 October resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,000 juvenile fish and fry.
- The Environment Agency stated that legal action is never off the table following pollution.
- Anglian Water previously stated that last year's incident was caused by a third party and not their equipment.
- The River Thet is a globally rare chalk stream, with nearly a third of the world's chalk streams located in the East of England.
- As part of a three-year restoration plan, the river is being restocked with a total of 15,000 fish.