DENR testing samples after discoloured water near Kindley Field Road is linked to suspected airport heat-exchanger discharge
Pollution officers from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are investigating water samples from the Ferry Reach area today.
Bermuda Broadcasting was notified early this morning of a reported discharge, appearing brown in colour in an area of the east end waters.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said this evening: “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.”
Skyport, which was alerted to the discoloured water along the Kindley Field Road stretch at around 9:10am, said its Facilities and Environmental, Health & Safety teams responded immediately.
Skyport has since been in close communication with DENR and is working collaboratively to determine the nature of the material and any required next steps.
According to the Ministry, samples are being collected for analysis to determine the composition of the discharge and confirm its likely source. The samples will be sent to overseas laboratories for analysis, with some also being tested locally at DENR.
A Government spokesperson continued: “The investigation remains ongoing, and DENR will prepare a report on the cause of the discharge and any lessons learned 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.”
Bermuda Broadcasting understands there may have been previous incidents, after receiving footage from April 2024 showing similar discoloured water.
“Regarding previous reports, DENR will review any relevant historical information as part of its assessment where applicable,” added the Government spokesperson.
The above video was reportedly taken in April of 2024.
