Birmingham locals were scratching their heads when a canal suddenly turned a brilliant green.
The Canal & River Trust in the West Midlands region eased concerns, explaining they’d introduced the dye into the Tame Valley Canal for a purpose.
The organization is on a mission to identify potential leaks, using the dye as a tracker.
This vibrant substance is eco-friendly and won’t harm the aquatic life, with the Trust reassuring it’ll fade away soon.
“When we’re hunting for leaks, any green not in the canal is a giveaway,” a Trust representative explained. “For instance, a green trail on the towpath would be a clear sign,” they elaborated.
Reiterating its safety, the Trust confirmed the dye’s innocuous nature for the local fauna.
This canal, spanning over eight miles from Walsall Canal up to Salford Junction, became the talk of the town on social media.
Witty speculations abounded, with one person teasing it was a belated nod to St Patrick’s Day, despite the festivity being days prior.
Another suggested a colossal spill of mushy peas might be to blame.
The Trust’s website notice pinpointed their investigative efforts around Gorse Farm’s safety gate near Hamstead, where mystery water infiltrated gardens.
Efforts to locate the elusive leak have been inconclusive, but the Trust hasn’t been idle, having patched up a suspect area. Now comes the moment of truth as they test these fixes under the pressure of a refilled canal.
In a message on platform X, the Trust advised: “Seeing green on the Tame Valley Canal today? Don’t worry—it’s us checking for leaks. The dye’s wildlife-friendly and will soon vanish.”
