Members of the ‘harbour water task force’ have been speaking to manufacturers of potential treatment options. These solutions range from equipment to remove suspended solids using chemicals to those that specialise in aeration technology.
They are carrying out further research to determine which option could work best on the type of contamination we have. Each specialist organisation that members of the task force members are talking to, needs complex data and tests to be carried out. They must also find out what, if any, approvals and licences are needed for each of the proposed solutions.
Although any of the suggested treatments should help, they may not completely fix the problem. But they will be quicker to implement than waiting for someone with the power and resources to trace the original source.
As the ongoing victims of this pollution, we want action on these ideas now, even if that means we only get a partial fix. We know the community has lost patience, and we are desperate to see an end to everyone’s frustration. Going with a partial fix comes with its own challenges, though.
Right now, the contaminated water is being released into the sea every day through our sea lock, without anyone facing environmental penalties. Until the authorities know more about where it's come from and how it was caused, there is no other way to deal with the constant flow of contaminated water.
Once we add equipment to treat the harbour water, it will be regarded as a 'manual intervention'. If we do not remove all traces of contamination from the water and then continue to release it after treatment, we risk hefty fines. We must only put clean water back into the harbour. We'd also need a licence for waste removal, and some contaminated wastes cannot be licensed.
Any solution will still need funding for the installation and ongoing maintenance. Our MP, Josh MacAlister, has had initial talks in Westminster about funding options. Before he can take these further, he needs specific data about:
Task force members are helping him to collate all of the information he needs. Once he has that, we hope he will be in a position to put together a strong case for funding.
Many of you have asked why the polluters aren't paying to clean up the contaminated water. Investigations into the cause have so far been inconclusive and remain difficult due to the size of the area under scrutiny, with so many pockets of land owned by different people. It could take years to get a definitive answer.
At this stage, no single organisation can be held responsible for fixing it. We know of no legal framework that would force any of the agencies or regulators to pay.
Although there is no immediate fix in sight, we do feel like we’re getting there, albeit incredibly slowly. The task force is next due to meet in mid-December, at which point, we will know a little bit more. In the meantime, we'll keep fighting on your behalf, as much as we can within our limited resources and powers.
For more on the orange water in Whitehaven Harbour, please see our FAQs page.