Wells Run Looks Normal Thursday Morning

University Park residents can breathe a sigh of relief.

As of Thursday morning, Wells Run has returned to its normal color, after a .

Although Prince George's County Fire and EMS Hazardous Materials Team stated Wednesday that the dye is non-toxic and used to test leaks in air conditioning units, University Park will continue to monitor the water in the stream.

Resident Tom Stickles said Thursday that to his knowledge no wildlife in the stream was affected by the dye.

Stickles said the substance has been identified as C8, a dimethylene dye used to test water pressure and leaks in HVAC systems and pools. It's something regularly used by Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in their work, he said.

On Wednesday, the contractors working to test the air conditioning system at 6505 Belcrest Road in Hyattsville, dump the used solution into an outdoor storm drain. It's against the law, but Stickles isn't sure how much or if the contractors will be fined.

"They could be fined for breaking a number of laws, from a violating the [Environmental Protection Agency] Clean Water Act up to disposing waste illegally," he said. The fine could be up to $25,000, although in the past, contractors have only gotten a slap on the hand, Stickles said.

The town of University Park will have to wait for a week to hear how the situation will be handled.

"The town of University Park will continue to monitor the stream everyday and we will respond when someone damages our stream," Stickles said.

Patch will continue to stay on top of this story. As updates come, we'll notify readers.