Continued pollution of a stream in Dinas Powys is likely to be caused by foul water from a nearby pipe, Welsh Water has confirmed.

East Brook is a tributary of the Cadoxton River which runs adjacent to Dinas Powys Library, Murch School and Murch Field before discharging into Mill Stream.

Pollution of the East Brook was reported by Community Councillor Keith Hatton to Natural Resources Wales in September.

Welsh Water later confirmed the presence of grey staining and an odour during a visit to the site.

They then launched an investigation of waste pipes in the area which might have been connected to their system by mistake.

Results of the investigation are expected at the end of January.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Welsh Water has said:

“Our initial investigations found that our system in the area was operating normally. The nature of the pollution in the river also implied that it was not linked to our system.

“We are however investigating the source of the pollution as it is likely it is linked to a waste pipe from a property in the area which has mistakenly been connected to our system.

“As soon as the investigation is complete, we will liaise with Natural Resources Wales and the local authority to agree appropriate next steps.

“Customers are reminded that if they do undertake any alterations to the external plumbing of their properties that they need to obtain the necessary permissions from Welsh Water.”

In a recent visit to the site, Community Councillor Chris Franks claimed that the stream was still polluted, describing it as “very grey”.

In July 2018, the presence of grey water and a foul stench in the stream was linked to a misconnected pipe in a nearby restaurant. The pollution was resolved by Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water.

Keith Hatton said: “Last summer conditions became very unpleasant. Apparently one disconnection was located at a food premises. Clearly the full extent of the problem was not identified and resolved. Plaid urges both Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales to quickly complete their investigations and to ensure that pollution issues are resolved."