New Mills residents were left scratching their heads after spotting a mysterious blue substance in the River Goyt yesterday (December 7).
Photos sent in to the M.E.N. show a bright blue substance in the river at the edge of the bank, standing out in vivid contrast against the brown river water. The unusual discharge was spotted next to the community hydro-electric generator station at the confluence of the rivers Goyt and Sett in New Mills.
The generator is owned by the local community, run by volunteers, and it powers a local Co-op with the electricity it produces. There is also a United Utilities combined sewer overflow at the same site.
During heavy rainfall like the downpour seen on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, CSOs, as they are known, may discharge sewage into watercourses. It is thought that this reduces the risk of sewage ‘backing up’ into people’s homes when sewers threaten to fill past their capacity.
A member of the public told the M.E.N. that United Utilities had said the blue liquid was ‘a known discharge’ – but UU later said they were still investigating its source.
The unknown blue substance was spotted at the influence of Rivers Sett and Goyt in New Mills
(Image: Submitted)
Local residents claimed there were regular ‘discharges’ by UU at this site.
“There is often a discharge at this location and often the smell is pretty bad, but in this instance there was no smell to my knowledge,” the neighbour said.
“I’ve never seen one of this colour. The blue makes quite a contrast to all the white snow at the moment!”
When approached for comment, a United Utilities spokesperson said: “Our storm overflow has been operating in the area as designed after the period of heavy rain and snowmelt that we’ve seen over the last week.
“We are currently investigating the source of blue liquid that was spotted.”