Epping sewage leakage at Lower Lincoln’s Field pond

Sewage has spilled out from a manhole into a pond in Lower Lincoln’s Field.

Roger Emmens, a member of the Friends of Swaines Green, says he would be “surprised” if there is any “significant life” left in the pond following the incident.

“We don’t think there are newts in the pond. There may well be frogs or toads and there are probably all sorts of pond life hibernating in the bottom. I have no idea if they will have survived, but it is doubtful because it sucks all the oxygen out of the water”, he said.

Mr Emmens first reported the spillage to City of London Corporation – who have been contacted for comment – on Wednesday, February 24 but he is unsure exactly when it occurred.

“There is every chance that the pond will effectively be dead when it the sewage is gone”, Mr Emmens continued. “We have no idea how long it will then take for the residual fowl water to degrade and become liveable.

The manhole cover from which the leakage is thought to have originated. Photo: Friends of Swaines Green

"It may well mean that the pond is largely dead for a few months. It’s not good.”

Mr Emmens says it is clear the sewage has come from a manhole cover for a pipe line running through the site.

He added: “Part of it flowed into the pond but it also flowed the other side down into the stream. So there must still be residual bits of the sewage in the stream down into the River Lea.

"Please take care when exercising dogs or walking with children in the area."

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