A second chemical pollution incident at a well-known local pond has prompted warnings from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The body of water, situated in a residential part of the city, was described as a precious natural asset by community representatives.
Environmental officials reported discovering discoloured water at Martin’s Pond, located near Wollaton Road, on the evening of March 27. The liquid had turned an opaque white shade, marking the second occurrence of this type within months. An identical incident was previously documented on Christmas Eve of the preceding year.
Zafran Khan, who holds the positions of Wollaton West councillor and sheriff, expressed concern about the recurrence. He explained that the milky appearance was exacerbated by insufficient water movement to disperse the contaminant. Many local residents had become anxious about the water discolouration given its rapid reappearance. The source of the pollution remained unidentified, and officials were considering whether the responsible party might be oblivious to the harm being caused. Khan appealed for anyone with relevant information to come forward, warning that a third incident would be highly undesirable. He stated he had never encountered such a situation before, with two separate acts of vandalism or pollution affecting a nature reserve, and voiced uncertainty about whether this might become an ongoing problem.
Khan noted that the earlier Christmas Eve occurrence had led to substantial fish kills. Malcolm Carter, chair of Friends of Wollaton Nature Reserves, characterised the pond as a unique urban gem that draws hundreds of visitors annually. He explained that water from the pond eventually makes its way into the River Leen. The Christmas Eve contamination resulted in dead fish, creating a difficult period that Severn Trent gradually resolved. Carter emphasised that the situation was detrimental to the pond and its wildlife, with pinpointing the pollution source proving exceptionally difficult. He noted that Severn Trent would need to inspect every access point to potentially trace where the contamination originated.
Following these two incidents, Khan indicated that precautionary measures such as CCTV cameras could be introduced in the vicinity. The Environment Agency is currently examining the latest spillage and confirmed that water samples were taken from the pond. An agency spokesperson indicated they attended the location shortly after being alerted on Friday, March 27, collected samples to assess environmental impact, and returned the following day for further observation while awaiting results. The investigation remains active, with enforcement proceedings possible if evidence warrants it. Members of the public reporting pollution or environmental emergencies were directed to use the 24-hour incident hotline.
While the Christmas Eve incident was attributed to an external source, the party responsible has not been traced. A Severn Trent spokesperson said they were cooperating with the Environment Agency inquiry, prioritising restoration of the pond and planning to inspect their network to help establish the cause. Temporary road restrictions might be necessary while teams access the network, though these would span hours rather than days. The company apologised for any disruption caused.
Martin’s Pond holds the distinction of being Nottingham’s first designated local nature reserve in 1976, with records of its existence dating back to 1835. Nottingham City Council referred to it as a sanctuary for wildlife, noting that maintenance is carried out by the Friends of Wollaton Local Nature Reserves in partnership with the council and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.