Dye to trace where sump pump water goes

[roc_on_the_rocks]

I'm looking for a dye to add to my sump pump water to help me to trace where that water is discharged. I also want to use this dye on my gutter drains, in order to confirm if they are connected to my sump pump (directly or through French drain).

A friend contractor mentioned such dye is used to trace septic systems. He thought Menards would have it, but no luck. The local plumbing supply doesn't have it either, but graciously offered me a contact that could do that job for me (I'd rather do it myself).

In case this specialty dye is out of my reach (because I'm not a licensed plumber), could you guys suggest alternative color dyes? (I thought about food coloring, but it will get expensive considering the amount necessary).

Thanks as always.

 

[Alchymist]

RIT dye for clothes? One bottle will color a lot of water.

 

[Jmatlock88]

How about using the dye used in yard spray equipment?

https://amzn.com/B003ORSXR8

It breaks down quickly in the sunlight so it wont make a huge mess. Although I haven't used this exact brand, the dye is usually very, very potent (don't have to mix a huge ratio to dye the water... 1 oz / gal I think).

 

[UpstateNY]

Google plumbers dye

 

[wasfuzz]

How about Pond Dye, they use the stuff to make your pond nice and blue, its non toxic and eventfully it goes away.
http://www.newtechbio.com

 

[Cyberbear]

Just get the product used to clean toilet bowls that turns the water blue. As I remember it was a tablet that you dropped into the toilet bowl and it would dissolve and make the water a dark blue.

 

[James-W]

I almost think you could use food coloring.

 

[snyder]

Dishwasher soap can work also.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

Great ideas here, thanks a lot for everyone's input.

 

[wtfdskin]

I have a few bottles. Check with your local wastewater treatment plant. They will have it and may hook you up.

Www.usabluebook.com also has it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[maxpower_hd]

We use something similar to this at work to trace drains to wastewater tanks. They work very well. You may need different colors to differentiate the gutters from the sump itself.

https://www.toolexperts.com/trace-a-leak-septic-dye-test-tablets-for-water-flow.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

I almost think you could use food coloring.

I have often thought about that myself. Being a food coloring, it has to be safe and non-toxic. It's also readily available at any grocery store.

 

[pcmeiners]

Ebay search fluorescein powder

You only need a little.

 

[the gypsy]

I was going to suggest food coloring (been mentioned before) but if you need lots maybe you can try Soya Sauce added to a clean water source (otherwise you may not be able to see the difference)

 

[ms fowler]

Ebay search fluorescein powder

You only need a little.

True.

I had a liter bottle about 30 years ago. I think we actually used about a teaspoon. Its a green dye, but if too concentrated looks red. That was 5 employers ago...