Home / Environment / Orange Harbour Water Sparks Chemical Concerns
Orange Harbour Water Sparks Chemical Concerns
5 Feb
Summary
- Orange water in Whitehaven's Queens Dock stems from iron ochre drainage.
- Iron and manganese levels exceed European standards, campaigners state.
- No party is legally liable for the pollution due to mine closures before 2000.
Orange-hued water in Whitehaven's Queens Dock, present since 2022, has raised significant concerns among environmental campaigners. The discoloration is attributed to iron ochre draining from Bransty railway tunnel. A FOI request revealed iron and manganese levels substantially exceeding European quality standards, leading to opposition against plans to discharge the water into the sea.
The Environment Agency suggests the chemicals originate from former mine workings. While they anticipate dilution will mitigate significant environmental impact, experts caution that iron and manganese discharge can lead to reduced oxygen levels, habitat smothering, and impaired photosynthesis, potentially necessitating remediation.
Campaign group Radiation Free Lakeland highlights acidic pH values in the water, classifying it as harmful acidic mine drainage. The Environment Agency is reviewing these findings and collaborating with partners to address the issue. Despite ongoing efforts, the plan to divert the water into the sea remains.
Legal liability for the pollution is absent as mines closed before 2000, precluding prosecution. Network Rail is currently undertaking repairs to the Bransty Tunnel, which has been closed to trains since July due to discoveries of old mine structures, and acknowledges the orange water has adversely affected both the railway and harbour.
