A massive testing operation was under way today after 100,000 gallons of raw sewage seeped into Prittle Brook in Southend.

Environment Agency experts are busying sampling the water in the brook, the River Roach and the estuary to see if any damage has been caused by the spillage.

The incident happened at the Anglian Water sewage treatment works in Eastern Avenue, Southend.

A blocked valve caused a build up in the sewer system, causing human effluent to build up and seep out of a manhole cover in Sumpters Way, on the Temple Farm industrial estate.

Around 100,000 gallons of raw sewage slid down the road, into a gulley and Prittle Brook, feeding down to the River Roach and the estuary.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "They believe the blockage was caused by a valve which partially closed. It was discharging for around three hours and 500 cubic metres of effluent came out."

The spokesman added that sampling was being carried out in Prittle Brook, the River Roach and the estuary.

Vic Leach, the Lib Dem group leader of Rochford District Council and chairman of the council's transportation and environmental services committee, said: "I am appalled at the poor management by Anglian Water that allowed such a massive contamination of our local water ways. I trust the Environment Agency will throw the book at them."

Anglian Water today said it was sorry the leak took place but was cleaned up as soon as possible. A spokesman said: "We regret that it happened and will make sure nothing like it will happen again."

Polluted - Prittle Brook, near Sumpters Way

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD Teddy's fury at spill

Rochford and Southend East MP Sir Teddy Taylor today spoke out about the huge sewage spillage.

He has had close contact with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water to get something done about the sewage plant.

Sir Teddy said: "This is a really nasty and rather horrific incident which stems from the old equipment being used at the plant.

"I have had recent meetings with the top executives of Anglian Water who assure me the very costly equipment they have bought will be fully effective as from July - subject to the Environment Agency granting the necessary approval.

"I find it rather tragic the new equipment cannot be used now as the terrible problems with the smells and escapes can be resolved.

"I will be in touch with both Anglian Water and the Environment Agency to say all the people in Southend are really getting sick of the problems from the old equipment which is still being used.

"I will urge them to do everything they can to get the licence through as quickly as possible." Brook has drowned in problems for years

by EMMA THOMAS

The Prittle Brook has been plagued with problems in recent years.

In the summer of 1996, residents along Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, told of their fears of walking along the brook after two men tragically drowned there within months of each other.

It is believed they had both been drinking and their deaths were accidents.

Their bodies were found by passers-by in the early hours of the morning.

In November that year, an angry family called for warnings to be put up in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, about the depth of the water.

Their Labrador puppy Beauty fell in and her owner Helen West ended up waist deep in water to get her out.

The Environment Agency admitted heavy rain caused water levels of the brook to swell - sometimes to around three feet.

In September 1996, poisonous substances from a nearby timber yard in Fairfax Drive, contaminated the brook.

The remains of a chemical spillage at John Mansfield Timber Ltd seeped through the back of the premises and into the brook.

The firm's bosses reacted quickly to the situation and contacted the Environment Agency, an outside consultation firm and Southend Council to stop the pollution as best they could.

John Mansfield Timber pleaded guilty to causing pollution at Southend Magistrates Court on June 5, 1997.

It was fined £6,000.

In April 1997, there was a massive oil spillage into Prittle Brook.

Gallons of hydraulic oil poured into the stream, covering birds and wildlife along the banks near Rochford.

Local residents took part in a massive clean-up campaign to help the wildlife.

The Anglian Water sewage treatment plant has also had problems.

Nearby residents and workers are sick of the nasty niffs from the plant invading their homes and workplaces.

Rochford and Southend East MP Sir Teddy Taylor demanded Anglian Water do something about the unpleasant odour.

The company said it was in the process of carrying out a £38 million modernisation of all Southend's sewerage system, which included the plant.

A spokesman said: "It was quite an old works and the new one will be up and running within the next couple of months.

"The present smell is an unfortunate side effect of the upgrading and we apologise to people who live and work nearby.

"We are talking with the local traders in the area about it but until the new plant is up and running our hands are partly tied."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.