Aussies were in for a shock after discovering parts of Sydney Harbour had turned a blood red with a local council revealing the likely cause.
The bright red water was seen flowing into parts of the harbour foreshore at Milson Park in Kirribilli, on Sydney’s lower north shore, on Monday afternoon.
Residents in the popular bay area traced the stream of red water back to a stormwater drain next to the park.
A North Sydney Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the cause of the change in colour is likely plumbers dye.
‘Council is aware of the red water flowing into the harbour from Milson Park, and officers have investigated but have not been able to find the source,’ she said.
‘We have reported it to the EPA (the NSW Environment Protection Authority)’.
The substance, which is also known as fluorescein, is not toxic and is also odourless.
Plumbers dye is commonly used to identify leaks in plumbing, trace pipe locations and detect possible drain damage.
The bright red water was seen flowing into parts of the harbour foreshore at Milson Park, in Kirribilli, on Monday afternoon
The dye is highly visible and it is recommended that usage of the substance be kept to a minimum to avoid it being detected.
A NSW EPA spokesman confirmed the council alerted the agency to the presence of the dye in the drain.
‘We are currently investigating the potential source,’ he said.
The latest incident comes just months after residents were left stunned when the water in the bay near Hipwood Street turned fluorescent green on September 25.
The mysterious green substance was spotted pouring out of a stormwater drain.
Firefighters said they were alerted to a ‘large spill of fluorescent green material flowing into the harbour’ following calls from concerned locals.
NSW Fire and Rescue said the source of the spill was still ‘unclear’ but said it appeared to be flowing from a stormwater drain.
Authorities also determined that the change in the colour of the water was also caused by plumbing dye.
No hazards to marine life or surrounding properties were identified.
