Prittle Brook

Equipped with E.coli tests and chest waders we set out to discover what was occurring on the Prittle Brook. We expected that the results would be higher than in the sea, partly because the brooks contain runoff and wastewater, but the results were often 2,000 to 3,000 colonies/100ml. Which is 4-6 times above the Environment Agency current safety levels. More concerning, we found a large build-up of earth, wood, and accumulated detritus around the Priory Crescent (Three Tunnels) railway bridge. So extensive is this embankment, that two of the three tunnels are almost blocked off. The third was flowing but looked like it might be choked off in time. 

Close to the tunnels Anglian Water have a wastewater treatment facility. This facility manages Southends sewage requirements. Unfortunately, we found a culvert with running water pouring into the brook. Above the pipe, the facility can clearly be seen. Of course, the pipe could originate from another location, but wherever it’s source, it returned several high E.coli results. 

A little further up the brook a large tree had fallen, its branches holding back the steady flow. Rubbish had built up, caught on boughs, across the trunk and clinging to its crown. A sad picture of nature forlorn, a managed habitat forgotten.

We wrote to the Environment Agency with our findings, requesting the rubbish be removed, the tunnels cleared, tree felled away from the brook and culvert investigated for E.coli contamination. Finally, we included an offer in helping to clear the brook, with Environment Agency assistance. We are yet to receive a reply.