A probe into the latest pollution incident in the River Weaver in Nantwich is continuing as local politicians call for strong action.
It has emerged one farmer was recently questioned under caution, but this was in connection with a separate pollution incident, said the Environment Agency.
Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith and Nantwich Cllr Anna Burton said the Environment Agency has also identified a farm further up river as the suspected source of the latest case in August.
It comes after the politicians held a meeting with EA officials after the latest incident left thousands of fish washed up dead in the river in the Mill Island area of Nantwich.
Cllr Burton is chair of the River Weaver Steering Group, which was set up after similar pollution incidents hit the river in 2023.
Those incidents had a devastating impact on wildlife and raised serious concerns among residents and environmental groups.
In a statement, the MP and councillor said: “The Environment Agency confirmed that it is investigating the incident in Nantwich and have identified a farm which it believes is responsible for a pollution incident upstream on the River Weaver.
“The Environment Agency is now investigating whether this incident was linked to the fish kill in Nantwich and have been clear that the farm will be held to account.”
The EA introduced thousands of new fish earlier this year to re-stock the river after the 2023 incidents wiped out large populations of fish.
EA officials have now added hydrogen peroxide to the river to help tackle the effects of the recent pollution.
Mr Naismith said: “I share many residents’ anger at what’s happened, because unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that the Weaver has been polluted.
“The river is home to a variety of wildlife, flowing through the heart of Nantwich, drawing in residents from far beyond Crewe and Nantwich.
“We have to protect the Weaver against rogue actors who flout the rules and deliberately contaminate it.
“I want to thank the Environment Agency for acting quickly to prevent further pollution.”
Cllr Burton added: “Our community rightly expects clean rivers and waterways as a basic standard.
“It was devastating to see so many fish struggling for life in what appears to be such unnecessary circumstances.
“We believe the source of the issue may have been identified by the Environment Agency and hopefully serious enforcements will deliver justice and act as a deterrent to this happening again.
“I am pleased that the EA will be re-installing monitoring devices on our stretch of water to help with early identification in the future.”
Residents are encouraged to report anything they hear, smell or see out of the ordinary to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60 and it will get out there as soon as possible to take action.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have identified a farm as a suspected source of the pollution incident on the River Weaver in late August.
“We are investigating any link to a subsequent significant fish kill and will keep working to hold those responsible to account.
“If members of the public have any information about this incident or of any other potential pollution incidents, please contact the Environment Agency’s 24/7 incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.”
The EA declined to detail which incident the farmer was questioned under caution for due to “an ongoing investigation”.
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