New Hampshire officials say the Merrimack River will briefly run red this week to test the flow of storm water around a local factory believed to have released toxic chemicals into the groundwater.
The state Department of Environmental Services says a contractor for plastics manufacturer Saint Gobain will deploy the red dye in the river. New Hampshire Public Radio reports officials have done similar tests in the past at wastewater treatment plants in the Seacoast region.
The state is currently overseeing the long-term response to pollution around Saint Gobain, revolving around prior allegations of contaminating local wells with toxic chemicals.
The company has spent millions in water service upgrades for private wells around the Merrimack factory.
