THAMES WATER has been making amends for their devastating pollution of the River Thames and tributaries with major fish restockings.
Thames Water, the bloated privatised utility firm, allowed 1.4 billion litres of raw sewage to flow into six sites in Oxfordshire in 2013-14.
As we revealed last March, Thames Water had to cough up a record £20.3 million in fines and costs.
They also voluntarily added £1.5 million to the area’s community fund and over £300,000 in compensation.
An initial consignment of 8,000 chub, roach and barbel has just gone into the River Thame, with as many 130,000 fish in total over the next few years.
Barry Mullen, chairman of Thame AC, explained: “The huge loss of fish lead to a big reduction in our membership with nearly two thirds departing.
“Along with other clubs we are part of the Thame consultative group trying to resurrect the river.
“Thames Water compensated our club and others for loss in membership and then agreed to a full analysis of the fish density and water quality of the river conducted by the Environment Agency and private agencies.
“As a result they agreed to pay for restocking fish to the value of £50,000 in a three-year programme of which this was the first batch.
“Bream and a few tench will be added to the species already put in, and we are particularly delighted with the barbel as these are currently in very short supply.
“A further big consignment is expected from Calverton Fish Farm in October.
“Our club is recovering with an influx particularly of new junior members since we followed the EA’s lead on rod licences and made membership free for under-16s.
“We now have eight times the number of juniors which is very healthy for the future.
“We are delighted by the way things have been done to rectify the damage caused by the pollution,” he concluded.
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