Foam spotted on a river in Shropshire was not caused by a sewage leak and was likely a natural occurrence, the Environment Agency has said.Later in the day, Severn Trent Water said it was not connected to its nearby sewage works, with the EA suggesting it could be a natural occurrence.
The organisation has now confirmed there was no evidence of pollution and the foam was likely connected to algae. An EA spokesperson said: “Occasionally, this time of year when the weather is warmer, it is not uncommon to see algal foam in rivers where the water is moving slowly.According to the EA’s website it is easy to mistake algal blooms for sewage due to its “unpleasant smell”.
Large blooms of non-toxic algae tend to form in British waters, particularly at the coast during the summer when the temperatures are warmer. When blooms start to break down, a creamy brown foam can appear on the water’s surface and can give off the smell of eggs or vegetables, according to the EA.Why is sewage released into rivers and the sea?