THICK and foul-smelling foam spotted in the River Ouse earlier this week is not 'unusual' and looks to be natural, says the Environment Agency.
Geoff Page, who lives near the River Ouse, said the 'rancid foam' has been seen 'bucketing past' in the water near his home New Walk by the River Ouse.
Mr Page, a 46-year-old lecturer in the University of York's School for Business and Society, described the foam as coming down the river in "thick creamy waves" and added that in the five years that he had lived by the river that he had never seen it before.
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He said he was concerned the foam was sewage, but he had not smelled sewage near the river.
However, a spokesman for the Environment Agency said that they believed the foam was naturally occurring and mostly made up of air and water - produced when molecules act as 'surfactants' interfering with the surface tension of water and allowing air and water to mix more easily.
They added that naturally produced surfactants, usually a fatty acid, are released from decaying organic material, but are also released in small amounts by living organisms.
Foam can have natural, earthy, fishy or fresh cut grass smell and is often seen on windy days or following rainstorms that encourage the transport of natural organic compounds.
A spokesperson said: "We have assessed the information and believe that the foam is a natural occurrence, which, given the recent conditions, would not be unusual.
"We take any reports of pollution and impacts to the environment seriously and encourage anyone with concerns to contact our 24/7 hotline immediately on 0800 807060."
It is reported to be natural (Image: Geoff Page)
Whilst the foam is a rare occurrence, it has been spotted in York previously with The Press last reporting on the phenomena in 2015 after it was reported by concerned members of the public.
Upon hearing that it was natural, Geoff said that he was surprised - especially with neighbours saying that they were also concerned about it.
He added: "It's unusual and a bit grim. We're close to the Foss Barrier and I would have expected to see this before - it is quite something."