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Non-toxic dye turns Murray pond lime green

Posted at 6:54 AM, Sep 19, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-19 08:54:32-04

MURRAY, Utah -- A homeowner in Murray was surprised when the water in his pond turned lime green.

The water was tested by the Salt Lake Valley Heath Department and determined to be a non-toxic dye called flourescein. The dye is legal to use under the Clean Water Act.

But it was will a shock to Mark Widdicombe, the homeowner.

"I freaked out, I was like where is this coming from -- my whole yard is filled with it and I'm actually watering three other yards here with it," Widdicombe said. "I'm thinking 'is everything going to die, are my plants that I just planted, are they still okay.' So yeah, it was pretty shocking."

The health department said the dye is often used by irrigation companies to test where leaks are flowing.