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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Date: 2 April 2009 MID MURRAY RIVER STILL ON RED ALERT Chairman of the Murray Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (MRACC) Richard Scott today confirmed the continuation of the red alert warning for blue green algae in the mid Murray River.
“The results from sampling over the past week continue to confirm the presence of high numbers potentially toxic blue green algae in the stretch of river from Hume Dam to Torrumbarry Weir," he said.
Sampling in this stretch of the Murray River was increased following the issuing of the red alert warning by the Murray RACC last Wednesday.
“We want to get as much information to the public as possible prior the school holiday period.
“Unfortunately there is little sign of the blooms dispersing and the warm, still weather conditions forecast continue,” Mr Scott said.
“We have also increased sampling downstream between Torrumbarry Weir and Tooleybuc because of the likelihood of the bloom impacting on that part of the river,’ he said.
The Murray RACC issued the red alert warning last week when routine monitoring by both NSW and Victorian authorities detected very high numbers of blue green algae in a 400 km stretch of the Murray River from Albury to Torrumbarry Weir.
Mr Scott said that this bloom occurred due the extremely low inflows into the Murray River system as a result of the ongoing drought.
The species of blue-green algae identified are potentially toxic and may cause gastroenteritis in humans if consumed and skin and eye irritations after contact. Boiling the water does not inactivate algal toxins. People are advised not to enter the water, and are further advised not to drink untreated water or bathe in water drawn from the river whilst this red alert warning is in place. Livestock owners are reminded to continue to check stock water supplies for blue-green algae and to remove stock from foreshores where surface scum is visible or blue-green algae are suspected. People should not eat mussels or crayfish from red alert warning areas. Any fish caught should be cleaned and washed thoroughly in uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption. Information updates about blue-green algae blooms and red alert warning areas can be obtained from the Regional Algal Coordinating Committee free call Algal Information Hotline on 1800 999 457. Further information can also be obtained from the Department of Water and Energy’s website www.dwe.nsw.gov.au or Goulburn Murray Water’s website at www.g-mwater.com.au
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