Pollution control officers are taking samples from a body of water in Ferry Reach containing an unknown discharge suspected to contain metal sulphides from the airport’s heat-exchanger system.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is “actively investigating” the matter in collaboration with Skyport, the airport’s operator.

The Royal Gazette received photographs and video footage on Monday morning showing a fisherman who had spotted the discoloured body of water.

The area is fished and contains marine life, including turtles.

A spokesman for the DENR said: “The department is aware of the reported discharge in the Ferry Reach area and DENR pollution control officers are actively investigating the matter in co-ordination with Skyport.

“Suitable samples are being obtained for analysis to determine the composition of the discharge and confirm the likely source.

“These samples will be analysed by overseas laboratories and for some parameters locally at DENR.

“Based on the initial assessment, the discharge appears to have originated from an airport heat-exchanger system that uses groundwater as the water source and is suspected to be metal-sulphide particles suspended in seawater.

“DENR has advised that it does not appear to be an organic discharge and no surface sheen was observed.

“The investigation remains ongoing. DENR will prepare a report on the cause of the discharge and any lessons learnt once the analysis is complete.

“At this stage, the matter is being managed under the relevant provisions of the Water Resources Act 1975, which covers pollution to seawater.”

Under the Act, the minister has authority to require demolition of unlawful works and stop pollution.

A source told the Gazette there had been a similar event in April 2024.

Asked about previous events, the government spokesman responded: “DENR will review any relevant historical information as part of its assessment, where applicable.”

A spokeswoman for airport operator Skyport said it was notified at approximately 9:10am on Monday morning of discoloured water observed along the Kindley Field Road stretch.

She added: “Given the proximity to airport operations, our Facilities and Environmental, Health and Safety teams responded immediately.

“Out of an abundance of caution, water samples were taken and have been submitted for analysis.

“We have been in close communication with the DENR since the initial report and are working collaboratively to determine the nature of the material and any required next steps.

“Further information will be communicated once verified.”

A commercial fisherman who saw the substance in the water on Monday morning and wished to remain anonymous told the Gazette: “We couldn’t smell anything. It was brown and looked like it was coming from a pipe under the water, it was pushing stuff out.

“It was coming from the airport, I think, maybe dust and dirt from the AC.

“I’ve never seen it and I drive through there every day to go fishing. It’s like a waterway to get to the North Shore.

“You see a lot of turtles and fish in there. There are snapper, bait, fry, anchovies, turbot.

“I saw it at about 9am and when I came back at 2pm, it was gone.”

The Gazette has requested information on any potential harm to human health or marine life.