A MYSTERY substance that looks like 'fuel' has appeared running through the River Anton in Andover.
The substance was first noticed by passers-by on Monday, January 16 and it has upset local residents who say they are fearful for the damage it is causing to the environment.
Jane Haggar, who lives in South Street, filmed the pollution as it was running past her garden.
She said: "It is absolutely devastating.
"I went for a walk upstream as people were saying it had come from a crash on the roundabout but it hasn't, the source goes upstream.
"I can't see any measures in place, there should be booms out. I have walked a long way along the river and there is nothing.
"The smell is absolutely horrendous, I can smell it from my house.
"This morning I was watching an Egret standing in the river surrounded by a pool of oil. Everything will be getting poisoned. It is an environmental disaster."
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When the Advertiser visited the site on Tuesday, there was pollution evident in the river.
One local, who did not want to be named, said: “I walk through here regularly. Initially, I only smelt it, but then I saw the fuel in the water.
"I probably first noticed it about 48 hours ago. It has travelled somewhere from where the stream starts near Anton Lakes all the way to the town centre.
"It’s awful, that spill will contaminate the ground. We have wildlife in these waters. Fish, otters and water voles all live in the area, and the damage this must be doing to them doesn’t bear thinking about.
"With the amount of fuel running through here at the speed it is, there must be quite a spillage."
Andover resident Barry Hodgson, 81, phoned Test Valley Borough Council on Tuesday when he also noticed the substance but was told he would need to inform the Environment Agency instead.
“Rather than sort out the issue, they palmed it off to someone else to deal with," Barry said.
"This is our community, and someone needs to take responsibility for that. Think of the environment and wildlife around this area that will suffer as a result. And it doesn’t look like anything is going to get done about it any time soon."
Mr Hodgson said he called the Environment Agency, which sent out a couple of men to have a look at the issue, but he did not know what they plan to do.
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A spokesperson from Test Valley Borough Council said they were aware of the issue.
They said: "When we were made aware of the ongoing pollution issues in the River Anton, we immediately contacted the Environment Agency, as this is a matter for them.
"They are currently working to trace the source and contain any further leaks into the river. While this work is undertaken, please avoid the River Anton and don’t allow your dogs to come into contact with the water.
“Any enquiries or future incidents should be reported to the Environment Agency by calling 0800 80 70 60 or by visiting www.gov.uk/report-an-environmental-incident.”
The Andover Advertiser also contacted the Environment Agency and Southern Water but has yet to receive a response.
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