Spanish river turns bright green, alarming residents
We've all seen a blue river, and maybe you've even seen one turn red, but green? It's not even St. Patrick's Day.
The Valira River in northeastern Spain turned bright green Thursday, which left residents shocked.
Seguim el curs del riu #Valira per comprovar la intensitat del colorant que l'ha tenyit avui, des d'Andorra fins a la Seu d'Urgell: pic.twitter.com/coJYsQw3cf
— CatInfo Lleida (@Cati_Lleida) March 2, 2017
The water flows down the Pyrennes Mountains from Andorra into Spain, where it empties into the Segre River near Seu d'Urgel, according to USA Today.
Albert Batalla, the mayor of Seu d'Urgell, assured the frightened locals that the reason behind the strange coloring is actually simple -- it's green dye.
L'aigua del riu Valira baixa colorada de verd. Segons el Govern, es tracta d'unes proves a la font d'Arinsal i NO és tòxic. pic.twitter.com/0YxUbEKI93
— Comú Sant Julià (@comusantjulia) March 2, 2017
He said it is "entirely harmless, non-toxic and biodegradable," according to The Local, a Spanish news site. The color was added as part of an investigation at a water bottling plant.
The outlet reports that last year, the bottling plant was identified as the source of a gastroenteritis bug that affected thousands of people who drank contaminated water in office water coolers.
Andorra's Ministry of Health confirmed the dye was used to pinpoint the source of a possible contamination, and "was safe for both people and the environment."
