Why was Dee Why Lagoon fluorescent green?

Earlier in the week you may have seen photos over social media showing the creek running to Dee Why lagoon turn a bright artificial green colour. We’ve had numerous calls about the incident and images sent in too. 

No need to double take, the image is real!  After sending our Environmental Health Team to investigate, we’ve learnt it was nothing more than Fluorescein, otherwise known as plumber’s dye. 

The dye is used to track and detect leaks, using dye as a flow tracer when added to a liquid. It typically disperses within a couple of days and is considered non-hazardous. Such large quantities of the dye were in the creek due to recent maintenance works and testing. Our Environmental Health Team and Sydney Water are confident there are no negative or long-lasting impacts to the environment - despite how alarming it did look!

While there is nothing to fear this time, littering and disposing of toxic chemicals in local waterways is incredibly damaging to our local ecosystems and heavy penalties apply for offenders. 

Please see our latest Recycling Map to learn how to dispose of household items correctly and safely.