Mystery over bizarre sight as river is turned white
EN V I RONMENT bosses are remaining tight lipped over why a river bizarrely turned white.
Residents raised the alarm this week when the River Dean in Bollington suddenly started flowing in a pure white colour and wasted no time snapping the strange phenomenon and sending the eyecatching images to the Express.
Environment Agency officials said that they have identified the cause of the sudden change of colour, which was first spotted at around 5pm on Thursday, August 11, but said that they would not yet reveal what was in the water or where it came from.
It has led to calls from locals for the cause of the problem to be revealed.
Coun Amanda Stott, from Bollington Town Council, said: “People were concerned for their dogs and children going into the water.
“The officers need to identify what it was and make a public statement. Action needs to be taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again and whoever is responsible knows what they did.”
Officers from the Environment Agency were called on Thursday even- ing and took samples. They said they quickly identified the source of the pollution and were able to address it so the river ran clear again later that night.
The spokesman said: “We attended on the even- ing it was found and again the next morning, working alongside colleagues from United Utilities.
“As soon as the incident happened, it was stopped and the water ran clear, before there was any damage wildlife.
“There had been a lot of rain so the water levels were able to dilute and disperse the pollution quickly.
“We identified the source but cannot give details of the pollution while we are carrying out a full investigation.”
The Environment Agency can prosecute firms which are found to have broken the law and caused damage to the environment.
Tim Boddington, who lives in Bollington, said: “There was chat in the pub about what caused it.
“Everything under the sun was suggested but it was pure speculation. It looked like milk. This used to happen in the old days when they had dyeing in the mills and it leaked into the river.
“I don’t think anyone really knows.”