Council joins scheme to protect water quality with yellow fish

Councillor Karen Davies said the scheme was an "interactive" way of raising awareness of keeping drains clear of pollutants

Yellow fish stencils have been painted near storm drains in a bid to protect river water quality.

The markings, organised by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council, are part of a new country-wide initiative, Only Rain Down the Drain.

The Berkshire authority is also hoping to raise awareness of protecting the borough's wildlife in waterways.

As part of the scheme, they're asking people not to pour harmful liquids down their drains.

In a statement, the council explained that pouring oils, detergents, paint or sweeping litter into drains can be harmful to river health, water quality and wildlife.

The yellow fish images have been stencilled on pavements next to drains which lead surface water directly to rivers during periods of heavy rain.

They have been painted using industry standard road line-marking paint so they do not fade.

So far, they can be found on drains near Oldfield Primary School in Maidenhead, in a section of Bray Road near the school - and there are plans to put them in Chalgrove Close.

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Karen Davies, the council's lead for climate and biodiversity, said: "Stopping harmful chemicals and pollution from entering our waterways is a priority and this initiative is a simple, fun, and interactive way of raising awareness of keeping drains clear on any pollutants."

She said while it "might seem obvious", she hoped it would make anyone thinking of pouring anything down the drain that could be harmful to wildlife "think twice".

"We're signposting people to where these substances should be disposed of properly and I'm hoping we'll be able to expand the project more widely to other locations in our borough in the future," Ms Davies added.

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