Blowing bubbles at Middleton nature reserve
Date published: 16 April 2009
A suspected chemical spillage has coated a river in Middleton in a blanket of foam.
Soap suds measuring around 150ft long by about 10ft deep were seen on the River Irk this week, close to the Irkside Nature Reserve.
The bubbles travelled as far as the River Irwell into Salford and Manchester.
An upstream detergent factory has begun an investigation into the spillage, which could be bleach or washing-up liquid. A spokesman from Robert McBride Ltd said that the spillage had not come directly from their site but may be caused be a leak in a wall below their building.
The company are working alongside the Environment Agency to identify the source of the leak. The Environment Agency believe the foam may have killed a number of fish, while ducks and ducklings were seen swimming in the contaminated water.
It is believed that natural water flow will eventually clear the foam from the river.
Do you have a story for us?
Let us know by emailing news@rochdaleonline.co.uk
All contact will be treated in confidence.
Most Viewed News Stories
- 1Burnham responds to TfGM staff after strike vote
- 2Radio star Gemma Atkinson supports Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary’s Shoebox Appeal
- 3Whitworth High boxer and footballer is runner-up in Rochdale Active Awards
- 4Friday and Saturday’s fire festival cancelled due to severe weather
- 5Greater Manchester could finally receive an answer about congestion zone left ‘in limbo’
To contact the Rochdale Online news desk, email news@rochdaleonline.co.uk or visit our news submission page.
To get the latest news on your desktop or mobile, follow Rochdale Online on Twitter and Facebook.
