Warning over dye out at the seaside

The company is conducting environmentally friendly dye-tests off the coast at Robin Hood's Bay as part of a 110m project spanning the next five years to meet new environmental standards.

It is hoped the testing, which is being carried out between today and Thursday, will provide a greater understanding of how sewage outfalls can impact on the quality of local bathing waters.

Yorkshire Water is monitoring how long it takes for discharges to reach the sea and the effect of underwater currents and tides.

Bathing water strategy manager Lee Pitcher said: "The dye itself is completely inert and is not harmful in any way to plants and wildlife. Over the course of the three days, we'll be releasing different volumes from our outfalls and then tracking where it goes.

"This testing is hugely beneficial as it should give us a clearer picture of how our outfalls operate and the impact they have, helping to inform our planning around future investment."