DeKALB | For a few hours Monday afternoon and evening, NIU was seeing green.

University Police and the DeKalb Fire Department were called to the basin near Cole Hall Monday night regarding the water’s green tint. Environmental health and safety technicians also responded to the scene to inspect the water.

“From what I was told by the University Police, somebody dumped something into the water,” said Jim Gable, an environmental health and safety technician.

University Police are currently looking into the case.

“At this moment, it’s under investigation,” said University Police Lt. Curtis Young. “As with any investigation, you have to make sure everything’s done thoroughly and the facts are correct.”

Though there was some suspicion the substance could have been hazardous, Gable said this possibility has been ruled out.

“It wasn’t hazardous,” Gable said. “From what we’ve been able to determine, it was some sort of food dye or a type of dye used to track storm sewers.”

Gable also said none of the fish or wildlife appeared to be affected by the substance.

“By 6 a.m. this morning, it appeared to have dissipated,” Gable said.

Rob Vest, director of NIU Environmental Health and Safety, said this was not a test done by the city.

“We checked it out, and Public Works was called right away,” Vest said.