River Irwell turns green amid ‘milk dump’ speculation

NewsGreater Manchester NewsRadcliffeInvestigations are being carried out16:26, 11 Aug 2026An ‘unidentified substance’ has been seen to have turned the River Irwell a ‘milky green’ colour.‌Thought to have started in the Rectory Lane area of Radcliffe, the contamination spread downstream in large quantities, pictures first showed on Saturday, August 8. Bury councillor Ken Simpson, who represents the Radcliffe East ward, said he suspects the spill to be an ‘organised dump’ due to the ‘sheer quantity’ of the substance, along with reports of it increasing and decreasing at different times of day.‌The Environment Agency said it is investigating the source of the substance and has ‘taken samples for analysis’. United Utilities, which is responsible for water and waste water services in the region