People in Horsham are being urged to stay away from Chennell’s Brook after a leak of raw sewage was reported.
The Environment Agency confirmed the incident earlier this week and said work is under way to contain the pollution. Members of the public have been advised not to enter the water and to ensure that pets are kept out until further notice.
Specialist teams have been deployed to investigate the source of the spill and to begin a clean-up operation, which is expected to take several days. Officials say they are monitoring water quality in the brook and will continue testing until levels return to normal.
Raw sewage in waterways can pose a serious health risk to both people and animals. It contains bacteria and other harmful substances that can cause illness if ingested or if it comes into contact with skin.
Local residents have expressed concern about the environmental impact of the incident, particularly on wildlife living in and around the brook. Fish, birds and other animals could be affected by reduced oxygen levels and contamination of the water.
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