OFFICERS from the Environment Agency have had to put booms in place in the River Lea after an oil spill was discovered on Saturday.
A team visited the river after the spill was discovered by walkers where the Lea passes underneath the junction of Marsh Road and Bramingham Road, just a short distance from its source on the edge of Leagrave Park.
Officers traced the source of the spill to Sundon Brook, a tributary of the river, and placed booms both upstream and ahead of the oil to prevent it entering the lake in Wardown Park.
Absobent pads have also been placed in the river to soak up the oil.
Despite the large amount of oil present, the agency said fish and animals did not appear to be distressed.
Ruth Shaw, senior environment officer, said: “The source of the pollution isn’t clear, however, much of the brook runs through pipes on an industrial estate, and it is possible that heavy rain washed the oil down into the brook.
“Officers will continue to investigate over the next couple of days.”