River Taff fuel leak stopped as NRW investigates dead fish and ecological damage

Kerosene has stopped entering the River Taff, but Natural Resources Wales is continuing to assess the damage after recording fewer than 10 dead fish, WalesOnline reports.

NRW confirmed on Wednesday 21 October that the pollution had stopped. The incident is understood to have affected more than two miles of river, with reports from Nantgarw, Treforest, Taffs Well, Glan Y Llyn, Gwaelod-y-garth and Tongwynlais.

GE Aerospace confirmed that fuel entered the Taff during repairs at its Nantgarw site. The company said it immediately activated a response team and cut off the fuel supply.

The incident was first reported at around 7pm on Friday 16 October, when residents reported a fuel smell. NRW said its teams had been at the site since that Friday afternoon.

Further tests to assess river damage

NRW described its initial investigation as “especially complex” because kerosene entered an underground drainage system. There it mixed with water before reaching a nearby culvert and tributaries through several routes.

Officers used drones and visual inspections of stretches of the river to assess ecological damage. Alongside the dead fish, early findings suggest aquatic invertebrates have been affected, potentially in connection with the spill.

NRW is compiling evidence to establish how the fuel reached the drainage system and river, as well as the environmental consequences.

Following confirmation of the spill, Public Health Wales advised nearby residents to shut doors and windows and avoid contact with affected water. Further samples will be taken to establish the full impact.

Source: WalesOnline