What some local residents thought to be toxic effluent coming from a drainage pipe behind the Eaglewind tennis court is actually a naturally-occurring material.
District staff was on site checking the substance on Monday after a citizen contacted municipal hall concerned about the orange liquid that appeared to have an oily-looking sheen.
The sheen on the surface of the substance "is a biological sheen which is derived from the breakdown and decay of natural and organic material," said Kate Brandon, environmental technician for the District in an email to The Chief.
The stagnant surface pools in a low-lying area on the side of a trail where the substance can be seen.
A culvert is in place under this trail to pipe the water to the other side, likely installed to prevent the surface water from flowing over top of the trail, Brandon said.
The culvert ends are both visible, and the water is flowing from one side to the other.
Several field tests determined the substance coming out of the pipe does not have a hydrocarbon odour and when the sheen is physically agitated it will break apart indicating an organic sheen.
ˇThe area has a lot of organic material breaking down and the water is also fairly stagnant, which would contribute to the development of the sheen," Brandon added.
The orange colour is likely the result of the oxidation of iron.
This process and sight isn't an uncommon occurrence in Squamish, according to Brandon.
"Evidence of biological sheens such as this one are found in various parts of Squamish, for example in the Logger's Creek Nature Trail system along Loggers Lane," she said.
Worried citizens also took to local online forums over the weekend and contacted this newspaper to express their concerns about the substance. There was speculation the liquid was a result of crews disturbing the BCR property adjacent to the pipe.
A local developer has a pending sale on the property and geotechnical surveys were recently done that left broken trees and upturned soil.
