Brilliant green and red, non-toxic dye was poured into Noons Creek earlier this week in order to find cracks in the sanitary system and determine the course of the stream's water flow.
The city of Port Moody and Fisheries and Oceans Canada were on hand to administer the test, which Julie Pavey, the manager of parks and environment, said was routine.
"What we are looking at is water flows around the water intake structure," said Pavey. "It is used to detect leaks in the storm and sanitary flows."
A small crack in the system was found, she added, but the seepage can be easily obstructed with sandbags.
The dye is an emerald green or red colour and is considered safe for fish and wildlife living in the stream.
A tester dumps a cup of the dye into the water while another person follows the flow in the stream. If the dyed water flows in an unexpected direction, officials investigate whether there is a crack in the sanitary system.
