Water near the world’s largest steel arch bridge in Australia has turned a blood shed of red – and even experts are baffled by what’s causing it.
The ominous-looking waves of red were spotted by passersby on Sydney’s lower north shore near the city’s iconic harbour bridge on Monday.
The waterway flows through the wealthy suburb of Kirribilli – all the way up to homes and boats moored in the harbour of the Australian city, The Sun reported.
Witnesses reportedly brought the strange phenomenon to the attention of local officials, but have so far not received an explanation.
“The 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,” an insider claimed.
However, local reports shed light on the most likely explanation for the water colour – a leak of plumber’s dye.
The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) also appears to be on the case. A spokesperson told The Australian that North Sydney Council had “alerted us to what appears to be red plumbers’ due in a drain at Kirribilli and we are investigating the potential source”.
Plumber’s dye, also known as fluorescein, is a non-toxic solution commonly used in the trade for identifying leaks and drain damage. It is generally used in small quantities due to its bright and highly visual nature.
This isn’t the first time a waterway in Australia has turned an unexpected and vivid colour – in September, the bay near Hipwood Street, also in Kirribilli, turned a fluorescent green, with the toxic-looking liquid pouring out of a stormwater drain.
The council said at the time that it had been a non-pollutant substance, suspected to be, as in the most recent case, fluorescein.
Back in 2012, a similar blood-red hue appeared in the water at one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, Bondi Beach.
In that instance, local authorities pinned the cause down as a thick bloom of algae also known as the ‘red tide’ or ‘fire in the sea’.
The two recent spills took place in close vicinity to the Australian Prime Minister’s official residence, Kirribilli House.
