Murky Dubai Marina water is safe
dubai — Authorities on Friday gave the all-clear to the water near Dubai Marina. They said the change in colour was caused by a chemical named Bentonite. Bentonite only changes the colour of water and there are no harmful effects on health and the environment.
The substance flowed into the water from a construction site in Qarn Al Sabkha. Dubai Municipality said the site is connected to the Marina through a drainage system. The orange-red colour of the water
was first noticed on Thursday and social media was soon abuzz with pictures. On Friday morning, the bright colour turned muddy brown. The murky water spread over at least 1.5km, beyond Marina Mall, towards the south end, near Choithrams and closer to Jebel Ali. But there was no foul smelling in the area.
Talib Julfar, assistant directorgeneral of the Dubai Municipality for environment and public health services sector, said the municipality has taken necessary measures to ensure that no more of bentonite is released through the system.
“It is a substance used during the digging so it holds the hole in the ground and strengthen weak soil. The substance is used as they pour the casting after they de-water the area,” Julfar told Khaleej Times, adding that a team is working to clean the water.
According to security staff in the area, municipality officials have been on site since Friday morning, trying to locate the source of the reddish water. They were positioned at the One Marina building, examining the contamination. (inputs Nivriti Butalia and
Sherouk Zakaria)