Visitors to Sydney Harbour were taken aback this week as parts of the iconic waters turned an unexpected shade of green. The surprising transformation was attributed to a dye, reportedly introduced by a local plumber.

On Wednesday, September 25, the waters of Careening Cove at Milson Park, Kirribilli—a prestigious Sydney neighborhood and home to the Prime Minister’s official residence—were tinged green. The scene bore a striking resemblance to Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day tradition, where the river is annually dyed green to celebrate the occasion.

Eyewitness reactions

The vibrant hue prompted various reactions. One onlooker, quoted by 9News, compared the sight to “radioactive stuff you see in superhero movies.” Despite initial concerns, officials reassured the public that the dye was non-toxic.

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Investigation and findings

The Fire and Rescue Department of New South Wales identified the substance as likely fluorescein dye. The dye’s origin was traced to a stormwater drain in Kirribilli, posing challenges in pinpointing the exact source due to numerous access points.

“So it’s unlikely we’ll be able to identify the source,” stated Adam Dewberry, a superintendent from Fire and Rescue NSW, as reported by The Guardian. “We’ve identified it’s non-toxic… There’s no evidence of any marine damage, fish kills… there’s no staining on any of the boats that are in the bay there, or around the wharves or the shoreline.”

Resolution and cleanup

By 6:40 pm, Sydney Water workers successfully flushed the dye from the drain, according to News.com. A spokeswoman for North Sydney Council confirmed the absence of major pollutants, stating, “Spill socks were placed into the stormwater drain channel to stop further pollution from entering the bay.”

She further explained, “At this stage, our engineers believe the substance is likely to be fluorescein, which is used as a dye for plumbing works.”

The unexpected green hue in Sydney Harbour, while startling, was ultimately harmless, offering a temporary splash of color to the iconic waters.