Recurring River Pollution Sparks Calls for Legal Action

On October 21, 2025, a river preservation group in Thetford, Norfolk is sounding the alarm over a second incident of thick white foam pollution on the River Thet. The Thetford River Group, which monitors the waterway, says the latest contamination event is "devastating for the community and the wildlife as well."

The group's spokesperson, Roseanne Gough, reports that dead fish could be seen in the river, and birds that normally inhabit the area have disappeared since the pollution occurred. Gough emphasizes the urgent need for legal action, stating, "Really what we just want to see this time is some sort of legal action, because we just need things like this to stop, the water is so crucial to all of us."

Experts warn that the long-term impact of such pollution events could be severe. Professor Ben Garrod, an evolutionary biologist at the University of East Anglia, explains that the effects can ripple through the entire ecosystem, potentially leading to fewer insects and plants in the future. Leuan Evans of Thetford Town Council also expresses anger over the second incident, noting that chemical pollutants can have lasting impacts on the region's biodiversity.

The River Thet is a globally rare chalk stream, with almost a third of the world's chalk streams found in the East of England. Gough says the latest incident will take time for the fish to recover from, and the short-term impact is "huge." The public has been advised not to enter the river or let pets drink the water until the contaminant is identified.

The Environment Agency is investigating the incident and assessing any longer-term impacts on the waterway. They have confirmed that they were also unable to identify the source of a similar foam pollution event on the River Thet last December.