A disturbing environmental anomaly has emerged on the River Irk in Middleton, prompting an urgent investigation by Environment Agency officials. Residents have reported and documented a colossal “foam iceberg” that appeared after crashing over a weir on Thursday night. This bizarre phenomenon, estimated to be approximately 10 feet in height, has caused considerable alarm among locals and environmental groups.
Eyewitness Wayne Brady vividly described the unsettling experience, noting a distinct odor that stung the back of his throat. His dismay was palpable, captured in a video where he exclaims, “Never seen anything like that on a river… It’s disgusting.” This sentiment is echoed by many who have witnessed the unusual sight between Bonny Brow Street and the M60 motorway. Brady further elaborated on the tactile sensation of the foam, describing it as “really sticky.”
The incident was promptly reported to the Environment Agency (EA) by concerned residents and the local angling club. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the EA confirmed the initiation of a full investigation into the matter. Michael Duddy, chairman of the Salford Friendly Anglers’ Society, an organization with a rich history dating back to 1817, highlighted the severe implications of such pollution events. He drew a parallel with a previous pollution incident on the River Irwell in Radcliffe, emphasizing the compounding harm these occurrences inflict, especially given current low river levels due to drought conditions.
Duddy painted a grim picture of the state of Manchester’s rivers, noting they suffer from the highest density of sewage overflows and weirs per mile in the UK, alongside alarmingly high levels of microplastics. While wildlife populations in these rivers are in a slow recovery, he stressed that incidents like this “foam iceberg” represent a significant setback to the delicate ecological balance, impacting fish, birds, and otters.
The emergence of this foam iceberg is particularly disheartening in light of ongoing efforts to revitalize the River Irk. Manchester City Council’s “Irk Valley Project” specifically aims to rejuvenate and regenerate land within the Irk Valley catchment. This incident, therefore, poses a direct challenge to these restoration initiatives.
This event follows closely on the heels of another reported pollution incident last week, where an “unidentified substance” caused the River Irwell to turn a “milky green” color in Radcliffe, an incident also under investigation by the EA.
In response to the foam on the River Irk, an Environment Agency spokesperson stated that although no visible signs of pollution were present during their site visit, a distinct smell of detergent was detected, leading to the collection of water samples for analysis. The agency urged anyone who suspects a pollution incident to report it immediately to their incident hotline at 0800 807060. The ongoing environmental challenges facing these waterways underscore the critical need for vigilance and robust protective measures against pollution.
