On October 30, 2023, the Water Resources Authority will be carrying out a dye tracing study to track the movement of water that flows on the surface and disappears into underground aquifers.
The purpose of this study is to understand the flow patterns, i.e., the path and speed of groundwater, that will help the Water Resources Authority better allocate and protect freshwater resources in the White River Sub-catchment.
The study involves injecting dye into the Blue River Sink, located in Mason River; the Bottom River Sink, located in Douglas Castle; the McDowell Sink, located in Fort George; and the Walton Sink, located in Moneague along the border of St. Ann and Clarendon.
The dyes to be used are Fluorescein (GREEN), Rhodamine (RED), Sulforhodamine (ORANGE), and Eosin (YELLOW). These dyes are commonly used in karstic hydrological dye trace exercises worldwide and are non-toxic and non-hazardous to both human health and the environment when used in this manner.
In the event that any discoloration (red, green, orange, or yellow) is observed in rivers in and around the aforementioned communities, members of the public should not be alarmed, as these will dissipate within 24 hours or sooner.
