A PIPELINE used to carry water for brine mining has burst and flooded a Northwich park.

The path at the Farm Road end of Griffiths Park, Rudheath, is now deep underwater after the pipeline, which runs beneath adjacent land belonging to INEOS Chemicals, sprang a leak.

INEOS runs a huge brine mining operation beneath Mid Cheshire which uses up to 30,000,000 cubic metres of water a year.

Salt extracted from the brine is used in to manufacture chemicals at the company's INOVYN Runcorn plant, and the Tata Ash Plant in Winnington. 

The company have confirmed the floodwater is fresh, not salt.

The leak, which was reported by a member of the public, has now been isolated, but INEOS says the incident is still being monitored.

An INEOS spokesman said: “We can confirm that a water leak was identified on Saturday, April 20, on INEOS land adjacent to Griffiths Park, Northwich.

“The leak was from a water main - not brine - and has now been isolated, however the INEOS team will continue to monitor the situation and consider remediation actions. 

“A full investigation will be carried out to identify the cause of the leak and a permanent repair.

“INEOS would like to thank the community for reporting the issue."

Cheshire West and Chester councillor, Olwyn Dean, took to social media to alert Rudheath residents to the growing floodwater.

She also suggested residents whose homes adjoin the Farm Road end of the park should be extra vigilant.

She added: “Anyone going onto Griffiths Park please be aware that there is a leak in a pipe on the neighbouring INEOS land, which is pumping gallons of water over the path at the Farm Road end.

“INEOS are aware of this and are trying to find the leak but the water is quite deep now.

“I would suggest that humans and animals should avoid this are until the leak is found and sealed.

“The houses on St John's Close which are near the Farm Road path please keep an eye on your gardens as I am told the water could soon reach you if it is not dealt with soon.”