Investigations are continuing into the cause of a drastic colour change in the water at Whitehaven Harbour.

An ‘action plan’ has now been put in place to discover what has caused the water to turn brown, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners have said.

The Environment Agency said that analysis of water samples taken in December revealed an increase in metals in the water.

Environmentalists from Radiation Free Lakeland have claimed that the colour change has been caused by investigative boreholes created over a number of years, ahead of the new coal mine opening in Whitehaven.

They say the boreholes have disturbed contaminated mine water previously held in place and have “more than likely done damage to the complex geology within the existing honeycomb of old mine workings”.

But John Baker, CEO of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, says this is ‘speculation’ and the cause has not yet been determined.

Mr Baker said: “We have got the coal authority, Network Rail, the Environment Agency, Copeland Borough Council and Whitehaven Marina Ltd, and we’ve come up with an action plan to find out the source.

“With the colour of the water, people will speculate but it’s about narrowing it down and finding out exactly where it’s coming from and then coming up with a plan to address it.

“The right people are sitting around the table and an action plan has been put in place to find the source and a solution.

“It’s not going to be a quick fix, unfortunately, but it is being addressed proactively.

“I’m sure looking at the colour of it and knowing Whitehaven’s history, people may start putting things together, but we have not identified the source of what is causing it yet.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Analysis of water samples from Whitehaven Harbour taken in December found no evidence of sewage pollution.

“The results did show some increased metals in the water, and we are actively investigating this further to determine the potential source.

“People can report environmental concerns to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.”

READ MORE: Tests on water in Whitehaven Harbour reveal increase in metal