River Irwell Turns Milky Green in Pollution Mystery

The River Irwell, passing through Radcliffe in Greater Manchester, has taken on an unusual and vivid milky green hue over the weekend. This dramatic colour change is attributed to a substantial pollution event, with local councillor Ken Simpson suspecting an "organised dump" due to the sheer quantity of an unidentified substance entering the waterway.

Initial assessments suggest the substance could be waste milk, though this remains unconfirmed pending analysis. There was no strong chemical smell reported at the site. The Environment Agency has confirmed it is investigating the incident and has taken samples for laboratory analysis to identify the contaminant.

United Utilities has stated that the spill did not originate from its network, indicating the pollution entered via a private drain connected to historical 'goits'. Residents have noted that similar spills have occurred in the area previously, with concerns raised about the potential impact on aquatic life, particularly the depletion of oxygen. The Environment Agency also confirmed receiving a report of a similar incident last month.