THE first attempt to clean the cascade at St George’s Square has failed.

The £230,000 water feature has been out of action since a pump broke down earlier this month.

Kirklees Council staff decided to take the opportunity to try to remove white stains which have developed on the granite cascade.

But the marks could not be removed by water jets.

A council spokesman said yesterday: “The discolouration of the cascade is caused by natural interaction of minerals and we are looking into our options for dealing with it.”

The spokesman added there were no health and safety concerns about the white marks.

Replacing the broken pump is also proving difficult.

The spokesman said: “We are in talks with the equipment suppliers over the faulty pump.

“The main contractor is a firm called the Fountains Company and they are assisting with both the cleaning work and replacing the pump.

“Getting the cascade back in action is being treated as high priority.”

Alan Farey, of Lascelles Hall Road in Lascelles Hall has complained to the council about the breakdown.

He told the Examiner: “Once again I feel that Kirklees is passing the buck.

“There are pump repair specialists who can repair most pumps within 24 hours. There are also specialist stone cleaners.

“I’m fed up with the council squandering ratepayers’ money.”

He wrote a letter about his concerns to his ward councillor, Liberal Democrat Clr John Smithson, who said he had been given a report on the issue by council officials.

He replied: “There were some leachiest streaks on the cascade wall but we were unsure how to remove them. We were advised by the installers that heavy chemicals would damage the equipment.

“Due to the pump failure it was decided to try removing the leachiest by water jet. Unfortunately this failed and we are now looking for alternative methods.’’

The pump breakdown came just nine months after the cascade was unveiled as part of a controversial £4m revamp of the square.

The work was completed a year behind schedule and included the use of pink Chinese granite, which was heavily criticised by some councillors.