Video: No pollution despite river froth

WORRIES over pollution in an Ipswich river were allayed today after experts said the unusual situation was due to “natural phenomena”.

Residents became concerned at the waters bubbling and frothing at the Handford Sluice in West End Road.

The water from the River Gipping canal section was thundering over the sluice and the foam looked as if someone had put washing up liquid in the water, with large quantities building up at the sides of the waterway.

It was thought the river was suffering from pollution, but Environment Agency officials who investigated the situation reassured the public that this was not the case.

Agency spokesman Richard Woollard said the frothing and bubbling was a “natural phenomena”.

“It is really due to the heavy rain we had recently,” he said.

“What happens at this time is that lots of plant material which has been lying dormant for a bit starts regurgitating and bubbling up.

“The froth is perfectly normal and is a result of the weather and large amount of water on the river.”