Businesses and residents in Felixstowe have been warned against pouring oil, paint or cleaning products down road gullies after a mysterious black oily substance spilt on the beach last week.

Ipswich Star: A mystery substance was spotted leaking into the sea at Felixstowe. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDA mystery substance was spotted leaking into the sea at Felixstowe. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Anglian Water last week sent a team of investigators after a mystery black ooze was spotted pouring from a water pipe into the sea by a member of the public.

The oil-like substance cast a large black shadow on the water after it was discovered leaking from a rainwater pipe on the seafront.

The rain drain is only designed to carry rainwater from roads and pavements and goes straight out to sea.

Lu Gilfoyle, coastal strategy manager at Anglian Water, said: “Fortunately the oily substance was reported to us quickly by a member of the public on the beach. Our teams quickly attended and the beach was cleared.

Ipswich Star: A mystery substance was spotted leaking into the sea at Felixstowe. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDA mystery substance was spotted leaking into the sea at Felixstowe. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

“Our scientists have taken samples and are talking to local businesses in the area to identify the substance and find its source.

“Materials like oil and even paint wrongly tipped down rain drains could cause a pollution at the beach and have a devastating impact on the environment. Anyone found doing this can be prosecuted.”

In Clacton last summer, Anglian Water spray painted coloured crabs on road gullies after private coaches were suspected of emptying their toilets into the drain in the seafront car park.

Mrs Gilfoyle added: “Often people tipping things down the drain is an innocent mistake as they think all drains flow into a foul sewer and end up at the local water recycling centre. This isn’t always the case and road gullies can be connected to a rain drain which takes water from roads to the sea.

Ipswich Star: The black oily substance which leaked out of a water pipe at Felixstowe beach on April 6, 2017. Picture: ANGLIAN WATERThe black oily substance which leaked out of a water pipe at Felixstowe beach on April 6, 2017. Picture: ANGLIAN WATER (Image: Archant)

“We need to raise awareness among residents and visitors so they can be vigilant and report any activity like this. If they do they’ll be helping to protect their much-loved coastline.

“Ultimately what someone puts down these surface water drains today will end up at the beach tomorrow, and that’s why this message is important.

“Our region’s beaches and bathing waters are one of our biggest economic assets in the East. Tourism is a huge industry and we want to see that continue. That is why caring for our coastline is so important to us at Anglian Water.

“We know visitors and residents love their seaside too and by raising awareness of how unconscious actions like disposing of waste down a rain-drain can have serious consequences we hope to get more people working together to each do our bit for the coastal environment and ensure our beaches and bathing waters remain among the best in the country.”