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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Water and Energy Sydney: 1 November 2007 ALGAL ALERT
COMMENTS: The cause of the algal alert at Lower Portland relates to nutrients and algal cells located within the sediment of that reach of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and increasing temperatures as we move closer to summer. Other sites along the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, such as the Penrith Weir pool, are unaffected by this bloom and are not on alert. NSW Health advises that any domestic use, including drinking, of untreated surface water should be avoided at all times. RED ALERT DEFINITION: Algae may be toxic to humans and animals. Contact with or use of the water from a high alert area should be avoided. Alternative water supplies should be sought. People are advised not to enter the water if an area is on high alert, or to drink untreated or boiled water from the waterbody because of the risk of eye and skin irritations and stomach upsets. Dogs and stock are particularly at risk and owners should keep dogs away from high alert areas and provide alternative watering points for stock. People should not eat mussels and other shellfish, snails and yabbies caught or collected in water affected by blue-green algae. It is also recommended that people not eat the liver and gut of fish caught in affected water. Other parts of the fish may be eaten but they may taste muddy or earthy. This media alert only reports algal blooms that have been brought to the attention of the Metropolitan & South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee. Algal blooms may be present in other areas where there is no regular algal monitoring. Toll-Free Algal Information Line — 1800 999 457
© NSW Department of Natural Resources
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