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'Toxic' quarry waters dyed black after swimmers mistake it for idyllic pool

A local council has dyed the water in a Derbyshire quarry black after swimmers insisted on taking a dip in its idyllic-looking blue waves.

Idyllic: The blue waters of the Harpur Hill quarry before the council was forced to dye the pool (High Peak Borough Council)

With its clear blue waters and quiet surroundings, it's easy to see why this pool initially catches the eye.

The water in the disused quarry at Harpur Hill in Derbyshire looks so idyllic it's called the 'Blue Lagoon'.

But appearances can be deceptive - the blue in the water is actually coloured from the nearby quarry stone, and the pool is almost as toxic as bleach.

The water is so dangerous the local borough council have now dyed it black to stop people swimming in it.

Locals flock to the quarry to cool off in the water, despite safety signs warning the pool contains car parts, dead animals and a pH level of 11.3.

Bleach has a pH level of 12.3, meaning a dip in the tempting waters exposes swimmers to fungal infection, skin irritations and stomach problems.


Derbyshire's High Peak Borough Council have repeatedly warned that the pool contains 'all sorts of rubbish', but have resorted to drastic action to keep swimmers away.

Local business owner Rachel Thomas said the dying of the water has now made potential swimmers realise they're 'not in the Bahamas'.



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She told the BBC: 'It's not pretty any more.

'They don't think they're on holiday in the Bahamas any more, they know they're in Harpur Hill.

'It was absolutely beautiful to look at but was horrendously dangerous.'