Waterloo Region – On Thursday August 22, the Region of Waterloo will conduct a dye test in the Conestogo River to understand where and how different waters in the river mix.

A safe and environmentally friendly dye will be added into the Conestogo River at the St. Jacobs Wastewater Treatment Plan (WWTP) around 8 a.m.

The dye will cause the river to have a pink hue with the greatest visibility near the WWTP and will decrease in intensity as it moves downstream. Dye tests are a common way to monitor the water travel time downstream and how effluent — the clean water coming out of the WWTP — is dispersed in the river. The dye dilutes quickly as it moves downstream, doesn’t reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the river, and is safe for people, pets, aquatic life, and other wildlife.

This test is part of the Environmental Assessment studies being done for the St. Jacobs Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion which is expected to be completed in 2030.

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