Dubai: A Dubai Municipality team was called in to check a stretch of Dubai Marina after the water turned orange since Thursday afternoon, causing concerns among residents.
Several residents took to social media after seeing the strange phenomenon that turned the water into a shade of orange in one part of the marina.
The tidal-fed water at the iconic man-made canal dotted by high-rises on both sides turned a strange shade of orange late on Thursday, with speculation rife as to the cause of the colour change. The affected stretch of the marina water remained unclear on Friday as well.
However, on Friday evening, Taleb Abdul Karim Julfar, assistant director-general of Environment and Public Health Services Sector, said the initial investigation indicated that the substance that caused the discolouration of the marina water is bentonite, a type of clay.
This was after a team from the municipality visited the site and followed up with the competent authorities to understand the reasons and sources of the colour. They also took water samples for tests.
He said bentonite is used for strengthening weak soil layers. It is used in excavations, perforating canals and while digging wells as it enhances the cohesion of loose soil.
The official stated that the substance might have reached the canal through the storm water discharge network.
In an updated statement later on Friday night, Emaar spokesperson confirmed that the sluggish water was discharged by a third-party contractor. The spokesperson also assured that the water in Dubai Marina would be back to normal soon.
"Dubai Marina canal is being cleared of the sluggish water that was discharged into the canal by a third-party contractor while conducting piling work for a project unrelated to Emaar.
"We view the incident seriously and had quickly mobilised our teams, including environmental engineers, to investigate the incident. We have also been working [with] the authorities concerned to address the concern.
“With the root-cause identified and appropriate action taken, the water in Dubai Marina will be back to normal shortly."
The Network Management Department carried out some precautionary procedures to block the drainage outlets. No risk to public or marine health was cited due to the discolouration of the water.
Social media users earlier suggested some kind of spill was responsible for altering the colour of the iconic stretch of water.
Twitter user @benzonar tweeted: “Some sort of spillage in Dubai Marina.”
Another user, @LouiseRedvers, posted a picture showing the cloud of red growing next to the normal blue waters.
She wrote: “Strange goings on in #DubaiMarina this evening.”
Another Twitter user, @Shazzarinksi, also noticed the difference, asking: “what’s [sic] spillage is this?”
