Cressbrook Dam closed after algae outbreak

CRESSBROOK Dam has been closed to water-based recreation activities until further notice.

Toowoomba Regional Council water and waste portfolio leader councillor Bill Cahill said council officers had detected an outbreak of cyanobacteria, also know as blue green algae.

Cr Cahill said the test results meant the council had closed the facility to waterbased recreation activities, fishing and boating, as a safety precaution.

“Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when the dam can reopen for regular water-based recreation pursuits,” Cr Cahill said.

“The cyanobacterial level exceeds primary and secondary recreational contact guideline limits.

“The cyanobacteria represent no risk to drinking water supplies as they are removed by the water treatment and disinfection process.”

Cr Cahill said the council monitored the three dams on a weekly basis for algae and numerous microbiological parameters including E. coli.

“We also test chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, colour, turbidity and phosphate,” he said.

“The treatment process is also closely monitored daily.

“When the water leaves the treatment plant, we conduct tests in the distribution system in accordance with our drinking water quality management plans.

“Even if we are not using a particular dam, but a test shows that we are out of specification in relation to primary contact (swimming) or secondary contact (boating) we inform council’s parks and recreation services branch about closing a facility to the public.”

Recreational activities are unaffected at Cooby Dam and Perseverance Dam.

To view the status of the dams, go to tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus.