Call for inquiry into Barmston Drain
07:00 - 16-August-2008
Residents first voiced concerns to the agency last month, after hundreds of dead fish were found in the drain.
The Environment Agency claimed the fish died due to a lack of oxygen because of soaring summer temperatures and low water flow, exacerbated by large amounts of duckweed.
However, the residents believe the real reason the fish died is because the waterway was polluted.
The duckweed has now been killed off, as has the vegetation that used to hang into the drain.
Mike Casey whose house on Inglemire Lane, west Hull backs onto the drain said he has never seen the waterway looking as it does now.
He said: "In 20 years living here, I have seen the drain flooded by nearly 10 feet, I have also seen it dried up so low you could probably have walked across it and all this time the green weed and the fish have thrived.
"Now suddenly it has all gone overnight.
"Four weeks ago there were millions of fish in the drain and now there is not even one.
"Someone upstream has caused this damage, and whatever they put in, it must have been a large quantity."
Julie Hemmings, of the Environment Agency, said the agency is not aware of any pollution, but said it would continue to monitor the watercourse.
