Company takes full responsibility for Cyanide Spill in West Midlands canals – Here's what you need to know

A company responsible for a toxic cyanide spill into a town’s canal has admitted to the ‘regrettable’ incident, which has led to a major public health alert.

Anochrome Ltd was identified by the Environment Agency (EA) as the source of the serious chemical spill in Walsall, West Midlands, on Monday.

The toxic cyanide spill extended into Birmingham’s canal, contaminating a significant stretch of water.

On Wednesday, Walsall Council confirmed that the EA had detected traces of sodium cyanide in the water, which can be fatal to both humans and animals.

The spill has contaminated a 14-mile stretch of water across the Black Country and into Birmingham, prompting the declaration of a major incident.

Residents have been advised to avoid the contaminated waterways and to refrain from consuming fish caught from the canal. The metal finishing company has issued a statement acknowledging that chemicals from their site had entered the canal and that they are working to contain the spill.

A spokesman for Anochrome Ltd said: "We can confirm that a chemical incident occurred at Anochrome Ltd Walsall in the early hours of Monday, August 12.

"Regrettably, as a result, some of the released chemicals entered a canal in Walsall.

"Our immediate response was to notify the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water.

"Our senior management team has been, and remain, on-site working collaboratively with all relevant authorities and agencies to minimise and contain the spill.

"In addition, from the moment we were aware of the incident, we have made all our facilities available to the authorities and agencies in attendance, including inhouse laboratory testing facilities.

"The safety of our community and the environment is our top priority.

"We are focused on limiting the impact of this incident and will provide further updates as they become available."

Anochrome Ltd describes itself as the "UK's largest independent metal finishing company" and a "quality-conscious and environmentally aware organisation."

The Environment Agency, UKHSA, Walsall and Sandwell Councils, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust and Severn Trent Water have been working together as the West Midlands Local Resilience Forum since the spillage was reported on Monday evening.

This has involved testing of the canal water and an investigation into the cause of the spillage.

The public have been urged to stay away from the affected areas, which include Walsall, Rushall, Ryders Green and Perry Barr Locks.

Yesterday (Wed) residents spoke of their shock at seeing the amount of dead fish floating in the water while angling experts warned of a "total wipe-out."

Lifelong angler Jeremy Taylor, 32, who has been using the Walsall canal system since he was 10-years-old, said: "I couldn't believe it.

"If you stand here long enough you can actually see them come to the surface.

"I don't know how it's going to affect the fish population or the birds when they eat them. It's terrible.

"I don't know whether it was an accident or if it was on purpose, but it's horrible either way.

"Some of these fish have been in there for years and years."

John Williams, secretary of the Birmingham Angling Association, added: "If it does fully affect the whole of the 14 miles, then it will be a total wipe-out for the fish.

"It really does depend on the extent of the pollution.

"It's certainly going to be more devastating than anything I have personally known.

"If it's localised properly, then the surviving fish will repopulate quite quickly – but in this case, I think it has the potential to devastate the fish population."

Councillor Garry Perry, the leader of Walsall Council, said: "Our priority is the safety of our residents.

"We are working closely with our partners to manage this situation which has been declared a major incident.

"For your own safety, please avoid this area of the canal and its towpaths."

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