Bright green water in Stuart fountain a mystery

Will Greenlee | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Show Caption Hide Caption Green dye in fountain prompts police probe Stuart police are investigating an incident in which someone apparently put green dye in a fountain on Colorado Avenue. Video produced Aug. 28, 2018. WILL GREENLEE/TCPALM

STUART — The men and women in blue are investigating the fountain in green.

Or something like that.

Stuart police on Tuesday said they are investigating a case of criminal mischief in which the water in a fountain on Colorado Avenue apparently got tinted green, said Sgt. Brian Bossio, police spokesman.

“On Saturday morning, one of our officers while en route to work noticed that the fountain appeared to be dyed the color green,” Bossio said. “He notified city officials for it to be repaired.”

Colorado Avenue fountain dyed toxic-algae green today by a prankster/activist ... a stone’s throw from Martin County’s early voting site. #toxic18 pic.twitter.com/qOb1q9XMsp — Eve Samples (@EveSamples) August 25, 2018

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The fountain, which features “The Three Heron Monument” on a pedestal in the center, is in a roundabout on Colorado Avenue between U.S. 1 and Confusion Corner.

“Detectives are looking into it,” Bossio said.

Video of the fountain with the bright green water generated significant social media activity.

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But all appeared back to normal at the fountain on Tuesday.

There are two other nearby fountains, one at Sailfish Circle close to City Hall and the other at Haney Circle.

It’s not the first incident of tomfoolery to befall fountains in Stuart, Bossio said.

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“There’s been several times since I’ve been here that people have put some sort of detergent in there causing a bubbling,” Bossio said. “We don’t know if it’s pranks by kids or what they’re actually doing but … usually it is a detergent or some sort of bubble making substance.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 772-287-1122 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS.