No solution over polluted Smethwick pool after 12 months

Contaminated water at Smethwick Hall Park pool has lead to dozens of bird deaths this year.

Raw sewage is believed to be leaking into the water from a faulty pipe, causing birds to catch botulism. The problem stretches back to January.

Campaigners have called for Sandwell Council to desilt the pool which they claim has been contaminated.

But councillor Maria Crompton said Sandwell Council is reluctant to carry out work until Severn Trent Water stops the sewage leak. The water company is responsible for the water.

Councillor Crompton, cabinet member for safer communities, said: "Until the raw sewage is stopped from entering the pool, it is very difficult to go about resolving the problem.

"If we desilt the pool, but raw sewage is still coming out, then this will not work. We have still got foul stuff coming into the pool.

"I don't know how big or small a problem this is for Severn Trent. I don't know how urgently they can close misconnections. We have had meetings with everyone about this."

She added: "I was really upset about the poor birds. I was trying to feed them and stop them foraging in the mud.

"I want to see this rectified as soon as possible. We don't want more birds dying next year."

Ian Carroll, who has spearheaded the campaign, claims the lack of action is down to Sandwell and Severn Trent disagreeing over clean-up costs.

A spokesman for Severn Trent Water said: "We continue to work with Sandwell Council and the Environment Agency as they work to improve conditions at the pool."

Sandwell Council has fenced off part of the pool for healthy and safety reasons.

Council figures show 30 Canada geese, four ducks and one coot died there between July 17 and August 16.

The RSPCA confirmed it has been called out numerous times this year to reports of seriously ill birds – and even to collect the dead bodies of birds.

In January, Severn Trent found misconnections within its sewage network. But an Environment Agency report revealed this was fixed with a bung being placed on a pipe.

However in May, Severn Trent said sewage accidentally leaked into the pool water. The company said no more reports have been received since then.

But Mr Carroll, from Swan Watch, claims the soil at the pool is still contaminated and continues to pose a risk

Mr Carroll, from Swan Swatch, has launched two petitions over the pollution. One had more than 1,000 signatures and called on Severn Trent Water to take urgent action.

Another had 400 signatures and called on Sandwell Council to do the same. The latter petition was presented to Sandwell at the council's cabinet petitions committee on Wednesday (18).

The outcome is that councillors will support a letter from residents, to Severn Trent, calling for continued cooperation between authorities in tackling the issue.

Councillor Ali said: "Severn Trent has a lot to answer for. The letter is calling for cooperation to prevent more bird deaths happening in the future."