VANDALS have been blamed for polluting a stream and pond outside Southampton.
A blocked manhole had caused sewage to overflow for several days into the Little Hat Stream and a nearby pond in Ambleside, Botley.
Branches, tarpaulin and fencing had been stuffed into a manhole causing the sewer to block and overflow.
The Environment Agency were informed of the pollution in the stream by a member of the public.
They alerted Southern Water who quickly unblocked the sewer.
A comprehensive clean-up operation, organised by Southern Water in collaboration with the EA, is underway to restore and improve the condition of the stream.
Jim Thomas, Southern Water's Wastewater Area Manager, said: "This pollution was clearly as a result of vandalism. As soon as we were alerted to the problem we worked swiftly to reduce the impact on the environment."
Every day Southern Water transports more than 300 million gallons of wastewater down 13,000 miles of sewers from 1.8 million properties and four million people.
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