Environmental Agency states that river foam had no environmental impact

Recent water tests have confirmed that the extensive white foam observed on the River Skerne in Darlington did not pose any environmental threat. The Environment Agency (EA) conducted measurements using multimeters after the foam appeared in September, and all readings were within the river's normal parameters.

Low traces of detergents were detected. The EA's National Chemicals Team initially suspected the foam could be linked to fire-fighting chemicals, but investigations revealed that none had been applied in the preceding 48 hours. An EA representative emphasized the importance of timely reporting, stating that "foam cases are very time sensitive" and advising the public to contact the incident hotline immediately upon spotting such occurrences.

Chris Davison, who first noticed the foam while cycling home on September 24, expressed relief that the event did not cause lasting damage. "Any pollution in our rivers is a tragedy," he said. "I was concerned for the wildlife due to the large volume of foam I saw. It's disappointing that the source could not be identified, and I worry that whoever caused this might attempt it again."

The foam on the River Skerne dissipated within a few days.

Ben Lamb, CEO of the Tees Rivers Trust, described the situation as "good news" for the Skerne, though he noted that the unidentified origin of the foam is troubling. "Without knowing the source, nothing can prevent it from recurring," he stated. Mr. Lamb also highlighted the need for increased resources for the EA, commenting that such incidents reveal a broader societal disregard for water protection.

An EA spokesperson reiterated: "Our officers conducted water testing after the foam incident in September. Fortunately, our results show no environmental impact, as water quality readings were within expected limits."

Follow updates from BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. The Environment Agency continues its investigation into the river foam.

Author: Sophia Brooks