Residents who use a beach in West Cornwall are concerned about a “stinking” substance which is leaking from a broken outfall pipe. Officials are testing the liquid, which many people have said looks like oil, but believe it is harmless.

Pictures of the dark liquid, which has collected in deep puddles on Long Rock beach, between Marazion and Penzance, were shared on social media by worried residents.

Locals have commented that the “absolutely stinking” liquid looks like “oil” and could be an “environmental hazard”. One man said he reported the damage to the pipe to South West Water (SWW) on June 19. “Guess they thought all was fine. Gah!” he added.

Cornwall Council told us it is an issue for the Environment Agency (EA). The EA in turn said it was made aware of the pipe spillage on Monday (October 7) after a contractor was undertaking works on behalf of South West Water cleaning surface water drainage routes.

The EA says the reported substance appears to be organic in nature, likely rotten seaweed, and is not suspected to be a pollutant. South West Water is carrying out testing of the substance to confirm. The EA added that it is awaiting SWW’s report.

SWW verified that it is still awaiting the results of samples taken at the scene, but agree with the EA that is appears to be rotten seaweed and nothing more sinister.