A WATER company has said that "no evidence of distressed wildlife has been found" after pictures surfaces of a dead Swan in the River Test.

Last week, pictures began circulating on social media of a dead Cygnet in the River Test after a liquid which appeared to be petrol or oil was seen floating down stream near Redbridge Flyover.

An investigation was launched into the contamination by Southern Water who have been working with the Environment Agency on the issue.

It was said that the liquid contaminating the river came from the companies surface water network after heavy rainfall.

But now Southern Water says: "Fortunately, no evidence of distressed wildlife has yet been found in the area, but we continue to investigate these claims."

A spokesperson for the company added: "On 15th June 2021 the Environment Agency received a report from environmental consultants working for a company on the estate that oil had been found in their groundwater monitoring wells and was found to be entering the surface water drainage system especially during heavy rainfall events.

"We will continue to fully support the EA in their attempts to minimise the risk of further pollutions from the Industrial Estate to both the watercourse and groundwater in the area, and we will support them in any enforcement action they may take against the polluter.

"We recognise the location is a sensitive and internationally important natural habitat and whilst primary responsibility for any further clean-up or remediation lies with the polluter, we are working closely with Natural England on how to help with the clean-up.

"We have installed additional preventative booms as part of the clean-up operation."

Redbridge ward councillor, Sally Spicer, said however that she would be taking the issue up with the company and added: "This is something that needs to be further looked into. I'd like to see Southern Water carry out some water sampling."