Water company Wessex Water has been forced to partially drain a reservoir in Somerset after traces of pesticides were found in the water. Tests carried out at the Sutton Bingham reservoir, which supplies the town of Yeovil, showed low levels of pesticide residue from slug pellets, which led to the reservoir being taken out of service and partially drained as a precaution.  

The company said it is working with the Environment Agency to ascertain where the contamination had come from. Meanwhile, the area supplied by the reservoir is being fed water from other sources whilst the Sutton Bingham reservoir is restocked.

Although the source of the contamination remains unclear, a spokesperson for Wessex Water said, "We have leafleted farmers telling them how they have to be careful with the use of slug pellets in particular and are planning to do the same with local residents."

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