Hundreds of fish are believed to have died in the River Wensum after hot weather and polluted runoff reduced oxygen levels.
Hundreds of fish are believed to have died in Norwich's River Wensum following a combination of prolonged hot weather and contamination from surface water entering the river.
The Environment Agency says weeks of high temperatures and exceptionally low river levels have significantly reduced the amount of oxygen available in the water, creating difficult conditions for fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Officials believe recent heavy rainfall may have made matters worse by washing polluted surface water from roads and drains into the river. This type of runoff can carry oil, chemicals and other contaminants, further reducing water quality and placing additional stress on wildlife already affected by the drought.
Environment officers have been inspecting the affected sections of the River Wensum and are continuing to monitor oxygen levels, water quality and the impact on fish populations.
The River Wensum is a nationally important chalk river, recognised for its wildlife and ecological value. Conservation groups say prolonged periods of hot, dry weather can leave rivers particularly vulnerable to sudden pollution incidents when rainfall eventually arrives.
The Environment Agency is urging people to report any further sightings of distressed or dead fish, pollution or unusual discolouration in the river while monitoring and investigations continue.
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