Concerns for the health of the borough’s rivers and streams have prompted Enfield Borough Council to take action.

Leaflets have been delivered to homes where plumbing problems have caused rivers, streams and brooks to become polluted with waste.

Pymmes Park lake and brook and Turkey Brook in Enfield have been polluted by domestic waste water which is killing wildlife as well as becoming a health hazard to anything which enters them.

Last month, The Enfield Independent reported that many streams had been affected the problem, caused by misconnected plumbing.

The Hounsden stream in Winchmore Hill had more than 30 times the amount of faecal bacteria than legally allowed by European standards.

The Friends of Albany Park have also been delivering leaflets to homes around Albany Park urging residents of the significant consequences on Turkey Brook.

Councillor Chris Bond, Enfield council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We know some homes are discharging sewage and all sort of other nasties directly into Pymmes Park Lake and we need to put a stop to it.

“We want residents to check their drains, waste water and sewage pipes are properly connected and if they aren’t to put them right. We’re trying to be a responsible council and resolve this amicably but if we can’t achieve that we will be forced to prosecute the people responsible for polluting the brook and the lake.

“Our main aim is to get the problem sorted, preferably without anyone being dragged through the courts, but if residents wilfully refuse to sort their plumbing out they could face a summons.“

Misconnecting toilets, kitchen sinks and washing machines into the surface water sewer instead of the foul sewer, causing excrement and poisonous waste to flow into them, is a criminal offence.