Residents and holidaymakers are being urged not to be concerned if they spot large plumes of red water in the sea off the Whitby coast tomorrow (Wednesday 28 July).
Yorkshire Water is conducting environmentally friendly dye-tests in a
bid to build a greater understanding of how its Whitby long sea outfall
can impact on the quality of local bathing waters.
The company, which is planning to invest £110 million
over the next
five years to meet new environmental standards, is monitoring how long
it takes for discharges to reach the sea and the effect of underwater
currents and tides.
Bathing Water Strategy Manager Lee Pitcher said the dye will have no
impact on fish, birds, or other wildlife.
"It's a completely inert dye that's harmless to plants and wildlife.
"We'll be releasing different volumes from our outfalls and then
tracking where it goes.
"This information will give us invaluable data which we will use to plan our future investment," he said.
Dye-testing was undertaken in Scarborough and Bridlington back in 2008,
with similar work recently completed at Staithes, Runswick Bay and
Sandsend.
Further dye-testing is due to take place at Robin Hood's Bay during the
week commencing 23 August and will be timed to coincide with the Spring
tide.
