Concerns have been raised after a stream at a much-loved beauty spot looked like someone had “dumped oil in it”.
Images of the water that runs through a wooded area in Formby appear to show huge clumps of discoloured sludge.
However, United Utilities have confirmed the discoloration is “likely naturally occurring”.
Formby resident Oliver Gee told the ECHO : “I was walking my dog on the trail between Montagu Road and West Lane, when I noticed the water looked like there was oil or fat snaking through it.
“It appears to be coming from a pipe. I thought I’d better notify somebody because there are so many beautiful birds and other animals in the area and I wouldn’t want them coming to any harm.”
A United Utilities technician visited the site this morning (Wednesday).
Their spokesman said: “We visited the location to check our pipework, which was found to be operating as normal and clear of any substance.
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“Whilst in the area we inspected the body of water and ascertained the substance is likely to be naturally occurring, such as a form of iron oxide reaction and would not be harmful to wildlife.”
The Environment Agency sets safe limits on water, with conditions to limit the impact of substances such as chlorine, iron and polyelectrolytes.
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