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CITY HALL

City of Medicine Hat says residents shouldn’t be alarmed by dye in river

Feb 27, 2025 | 12:12 PM

Residents may notice strange colours in the South Saskatchewan River starting today, the city says.

That’s because the City of Medicine Hat is conducting standard testing of the stormwater system in a section of the Harlow neighbourhood.

Testing will occur along the river between the Trans-Canada Highway around the Windmill Garden Centre, and is expected to last for a week.

A small amount of red, blue, and violet-coloured dye will be diluted in the stormwater system during the procedure.

That can result in dye being discharged into the South Saskatchewan River at outfall locations.

The city says residents shouldn’t be alarmed by colour in the river.

This testing will have no impact on the quality of drinking water.

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is aware of this work and will be notified by the city if discharge of dye into the river occurs.ILE p