Toxic Town parents find metal pollution in water

Families involved in the toxic waste scandal in Corby have tested waterways in the town and said they have found the presence of metals "that could pose a risk to aquatic life".

Children were born with birth defects, which were believed to have been caused when the Northamptonshire town's steelworks were dismantled in the 1980s.

Earthwatch Europe, a charity which helps people investigate nature in their communities, worked with volunteers in November to test if metals were present across 59 sites.

The Environment Agency said it would study the report so it could "support and advise North Northamptonshire Council and Earthwatch Europe on their next steps".

The council said it would also fully review the findings. Its predecessor, Corby Borough Council, reached a private settlement with families affected by birth defects in 2011.

Earthwatch said 35 trained "citizen scientists" tested freshwater sites and samples were analysed for 33 elements, including 29 metals and metalloids, using field-based citizen science kits and laboratory analysis.

It said at every site at least one metal or metalloid was detected at a "concentration above its predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for freshwater habitats – the level below which adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems are not expected".

Dr Sasha Woods, director of science and impact at Earthwatch Europe, said: "By working with the community in Corby, we've been able to gather a detailed snapshot of freshwater metal pollution across the town.

"The findings indicate that some metals are present at levels that could pose a risk to aquatic life, particularly in areas close to known historic waste sites."

The charity said the report "complements what we already know about metals pollution in Corby" and highlighted that further investigation was needed.

It said the report did not "assess risks to human health".

It added that further monitoring and repeat testing in different weather conditions would help build a clearer picture.

The Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We welcome the initiative and work that has been carried out by Earthwatch Europe.

"Citizen science is a valuable contribution to the evidence base on water and helps to identify and prioritise action."

The council said it "recognises the understandable strength of feeling amongst the residents of Corby in relation to the historic and emotive issue of contaminated land".

It said it was still in the process of plotting sites that it knows about in the Corby area on a map.

"This is an extensive piece of work to collate historic data which we will complete as soon as possible."

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