THE water in Whitehaven Harbour is once again appearing discoloured.
Network Rail has said that this is due to 'environmental factors'.
In recent weeks, the harbour water has appeared clear; however, it has now returned to its discoloured state.
The water in Queen’s Dock has been affected by iron-rich mine water entering the harbour via a culvert linked to Bransty railway tunnel, turning it an orange/brown colour.
Discoloured, orange water first started entering Queen’s Dock in November 2022, coming in through a culvert in the harbour wall which carries water from Bransty Beck and the railway tunnel.
At times, the water has cleared again, with Network Rail suggesting recent improvements were due to changing environmental conditions rather than active pumping or treatment.
Testing has linked the discolouration to iron ochre and other minerals in water draining through historic coal mine workings around Bransty and Whitehaven before passing into Bransty Tunnel and then the dock culvert.
Experts and agencies generally agree that the phenomenon is a legacy of centuries of mining beneath and around Whitehaven, where old workings now act as underground reservoirs and pathways for mineral‑laden water.
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