Sewage problem closes shell fishing beds (From This is Hampshire)

Sewage problem closes shell fishing beds

2:46pm Sunday 22nd November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

A problem with a Southampton sewage works has forced the closure of shell fishing beds.

The ban on Southampton Water has been put on while tests are being carried out.

It comes after a technical problem was discovered at Southern Water’s Woolston plant on Tuesday that has now been fixed.

New tests are expected to be carried out on the water quality tomorrow.

A Southern Water spokesman said: "Last Tuesday, we experienced a technical problem with one of the inlet screens at our Woolston plant.

"The EA [Environment Agency] were informed according to standard procedure and the problem was subsequently resolved.

"Southampton Port Health Services reported the issue to the FSA [Food Standards Agency] and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, which decided to close the fishing beds on a precautionary basis on Friday afternoon, despite no tests being carried out at that stage.

"These tests, to assess the microbiology levels in the water, are expected to be carried out tomorrow."