11.9.23 Update on the Rivers Hiz and Oughton Pollution

We have had to order different booms because the flow rate of the river is pushing too much oil under the booms. These new booms have a polythene 20cm skirt that stops the very light rainbow oil sheen moving away from the boom.

Contractors have been employed by the Bowmans Mill site owners to complete a clean of the Oughton and Hiz from the confluence of both rivers as far as Cadwell railway bridge. They will be hand-removing all existing sludge and removing any other collected sludge. They will also be ensuring that there is no more residual oil in the rivers. However, there is so much vegetation in the Oughton it is going to take time to stop everything.

The emulsion type that is collecting on the River Hiz is a water in oil emulsion as it does not sink to the gravel and is largely water-based, which is why the riverbed gravel is still clean. A good deluge of water to further break up the oil would be useful. On Saturday, small fry were observed in the river.

Thanks for all your help over the last week. The EA are progressing a detailed operational plan from the contractors and will be ensuring they achieve their tasking which includes the emptying of the oil interceptor on the site on Wednesday morning.”