The Environment Agency has served a suspension notice to prevent Red Industries of Burslem, Stoke, pouring any water into the river after thousands of fish floated to the surface dead yesterday (October 6).
Tests carried out by the agency found cyanide at the sewer discharge point used by the company.
The agency’s environment manager, David Hudson, said: “The pollution has killed thousands of fish on the River Trent and caused a great deal of concern for many people.
“This sort of incident is unacceptable our investigation is continuing to ensure we can take firm action against those responsible.”
Under the Water Resources Act it is an offence to cause poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter rivers.
The largest fine for a similar offence occurred in 2004, with an Avonmouth-based chemical company, Sevalco was fined £240,000 for deliberating discharging cyanide into controlled water.
Luke Walsh