A giant fungus has been growing in rivers near East Midlands Airport and has led to an Environment Agency investigation. Campaigners have called out the decision which will continue to allow EMA to 'pollute' a Leicestershire river with de-icer waste.
The airport is being investigated by environmental bosses but a permit has been given to the airport to discharge water containing materials used for essential de-icing into both Diseworth Brook and the River Trent. The permit is valid between November and April every year and makes clear that the discharge should not have adverse effects on plants or animals in the water.
Leicestershire Live reports that concerns have been raised about the impact of the process. Campaigners and angling groups in the affected areas have called for the permit to be reviewed, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The groups believe the effects of the discharge are clear to see and that change is needed.
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Images from the scene of both Diseworth Brook and the River Trent appear to show a fungus that campaigners claim has grown in the water’s bed due to the de-icer discharge. The fungus thrives in low oxygen conditions and covers up to 500 sq metres of the waterway.
Geoff Hardy, from the group Fish Legal, which has been reporting evidence of pollution in the areas for years, said: “The Environment Agency’s response is very disappointing. Clearly things are going wrong at this site, and we hoped that the regulator would take the opportunity to act to protect the river by tightening the current permit.
“To enforce a condition in the permit which states that there should not be a ‘significant adverse visible effect’ of pollution in the river, the Environment Agency actually needs to attend at the site.”
The concerns, raised by Fish Legal and Derby Railway Angling Club, have led the Environment Agency to investigate the issue at EMA. While this is on-going, the permit remains in place, but action could be taken in future.
The Environment Agency also made clear that it is in discussions with both EMA and its parent company, the Manchester Airports Group, which also runs Manchester Airport and London Stansted. The discussions are believed to be related to a new three-point plan to tackle concerns.
An Environment Agency spokesperson added: “We can confirm that we are investigating the discharge of waste water from East Midlands Airport. We take all reports of pollution seriously and members of the public can report environmental incidents to our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060.”
East Midlands Airport have been approached for comment.
