Thames Water responded to reports of oil in the water at Mill Pond in Bracknell on Monday, March 24 after oil was illegally poured into a drain, contaminating the pond and affecting swans and geese.
A Thames Water spokesman said: “We responded to reports of oil in the Mill Park pond on Monday and discovered a number of swans and geese had been affected.
Thames Water in Mill Pond (Image: Thames Water/NQ)
“It is believed this pollution was caused by oil illegally dumped down a drain and it has contaminated the pond and wildlife.”
The water was visibly thickened with black oil, and a notice was pinned to a nearby tree urging visitors to respect the area and wildlife.
A Thames Water spokesman said: “Thames Water has been working with Swan Support and the RSPB to clean up the pond and wildlife, and we have deployed booms around the outfall pipe to limit further contamination.
“We are also sending in a specialist team to clean the gully, pipes and pond.”
Swan Support, a wildlife rescue charity caring for sick, injured and orphaned swans in the Thames Valley and surrounding areas, are keeping an eye on the swans.
The organisation, who respond to call-outs, provide veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, said: “We are currently monitoring two swans at Mill Pond in Bracknell following a major oil spill on the pond.
“At present, the swans only have a small amount of oil on their feathers, which thankfully is not severe enough for them to be removed. We will continue to keep a close watch on them.
“A big thank you to Aaron from Mill Park Café who kindly went out last night to check on the swans after we received a call from Thames Water.
“Aaron and Lita care very much about the swans and other birds on the pond, and their help and concern is greatly appreciated.
“Thank you to everyone who continues to look out for the wildlife at Mill Pond.”
Mill Pond is home to a wide variety of water birds and fish, including carp, tench, bream, pike and other coarse species.