An invasive non-native species has been found in Rutland Water
It's not known how Quagga mussels arrived there.
Quagga mussels have been found in Rutland Water.
People using rivers or reservoirs in the area are now being urged to follow ‘check, clean, dry’ procedures to try to prevent the spread.
The Environment Agency has increased its monitoring across rivers in the East Midlands to find out how bad the problem is.
They're working with Anglian Water and the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat to agree an appropriate response.
They said:
"Quagga mussels do not pose any immediate direct threat to water quality, animals or people, but they do spread rapidly and can block pipes and water based assets resulting in significant future maintenance costs."
Quagga mussels were first recorded in the UK in 2014 . It's not known how they arrived in Rutland Water.
Geoff Craig, area environment manager for the Environment Agency, said:
Unfortunately, further spread of the quagga mussels is highly likely, but we can slow down the spread. We urge all water users in the affected areas to follow the required biosecurity procedures of ‘check, clean, dry’ whenever working or engaging in leisure activities in or near the water.