It was a non-toxic flower dye from a local greenhouse that made a Chilliwack waterway turn pink last week.
Leo Quik, owner of Quik’s Farm, including the greenhouses on McSween Road, said it was a worker’s handling “mistake” that led to the incident.
Dark pink water could be seen dripping out of a large white pipe at the rear of the greenhouse site directly into the slough last week.
“The substance released into the waterway was completely non-toxic, and we confirmed that in discussions with the supplier of the product, which came from a reputable manufacturer,” said Quik.
The whole situation came to light after the provincial Ministry of Environment was contacted last week by an alarmed resident, who noticed that a section of the Camp Slough had suddenly turned a curious shade of pink.
Ever since then Quik’s Farm officials have been working closely with all responding agencies, which have been testing and sampling the water, including MOE, as well as Environment Canada and City of Chilliwack. BC Conservation Officer Service also attended the site on Saturday.
The discoloured section of the Camp Slough, near the junction of Bell Road and McSween, has been contained, Quik said.