Residents have received a warning to "stay away" from a patch of water which is suspected to have been polluted.
Sawtry Parish Council have told people to stay away from the water course near Red Drove, Sawtry, while the Environment Agency test the water to check for pollution.
Contractors attended the site today (October 21) to take samples along the affected water course and monitor it for impacts.
A drone survey of the affected area has been taken to check for visible sources of pollution, and the site has been secured to prevent public access.
A footpath has been closed, with notices put up to inform people of the closure.
Specialists have also been contacted to ensure that the pollution does not move further down stream beyond a small weir, and investigations of nearby drainage systems are taking place.
Laboratory testing is underway to identify the substance causing the pollution, which will help to trace the source and deal with it appropriately.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Specialist officers are using drone cameras to find the source of pollution that has given off a strong smell in Sawtry since last Friday.
"We are testing water in an unnamed ditch at Straight Drove to determine what happened, as well as making enquiries with Anglian Water and local businesses.
"We ask people to avoid the area and the water and keep their pets away while we investigate.
"Warning signs and a cordon are in place.
"Anyone with information on the incident or any suspected pollution in our waterways is asked to call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060."
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A spokesperson for Sawtry Parish Council said: "In the meantime, we would be very grateful if residents and landowners could obey all warning signs and not use surrounding footpaths or rights of way, stay away from the affected area and not enter the nearby water, keep all pets and livestock away from the watercourse and not let them drink from it."
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