ENVIRONMENT Agency workers have prevented a brook near Droitwich Spa being polluted by 100 litres of oil that was illegally dumped.

Staff received reports on Monday, January 14 of a fly-tipping incident on a disused spur road next to Elmbridge Brook on the outskirts of the town.

A spokesman from the Environment Agency said: “A number of 25 litre plastic drums had been illegally dumped and contained what is believed to be waste oil. All the drums were tipped over and the ground was covered in the substance.”

Spilt oil can pollute streams, rivers and groundwater supplies. It is toxic and harmful to plants and animals, and can pollute public water supplies.

The Environment Agency employed an oil spill contractor to carry out an emergency clean up of the site to prevent the oil flowing in to the brook.

However, on returning the following morning, it was discovered that the perpetrators had returned and poured more oil on to the ground. Contractors and staff again worked to clean up the site.

“We are now trying to find out where the fly-tipped oil came from. We would like to appeal to people to call our 24hrIncident Hotline on 0800 807060 if they know anything about this,” added the spokesman.

Garages and hauliers need to remember that they may be criminally liable if they pass waste oil to someone who later disposes of it illegally. They must check that they person they give it to is a registered waste carrier, and provide a waste transfer note.

To find out more visit environment-agency.gov.uk or wastedirectory.org.uk