A Government planning inspector and an Environmental Protection Agency investigator were dispatched yesterday to determine the cause of a white cloudy substance pouring into Hamilton Harbour from the Newstead construction project in Warwick.

Front Street office workers on the opposite side of Hamilton Harbour could see the massive plume from their upper floor windows.

The Royal Gazette has been told the substance is the result of well drilling on the Newstead property. The mechanical drill apparently hit what’s been described as a ‘soft pocket’ which sent a very fine sediment into the water. Newstead property manager, Bushara Bushara confirmed that account and further added that the substance was nothing more than sand. He said: “It was just some white sand which has really dissipated. It’s really a non-event. It’s not harmful. It’s some soft sand that spread in the water.”

The collection of sediment turned heads along Harbour Road and in Hamilton yesterday because the water conditions were so calm — allowing whatever flowed into the harbour to accumulate and essentially stay in one place.

One observer explained: “If it have been rough, it wouldn’t have been noticeable.”

Concerned citizens called The Royal Gazetteand apparently also rang the Ministry of Environment, prompting the dispatch of at least two officials. Callers were worried whatever they saw was harming the ecosystem. At news time last night it seemed those fears were allayed. Newstead managers recently announced that all its new home construction was complete and all the homes had been sold. However work on the property’s guest facilities were behind schedule.