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All Current and Past Media Releases
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Media Release - Department of Natural Resources Wollongong: 11 January 2007 ALGAL ALERT (SYDNEY METROPOLITAN / SOUTH COAST) LOCATION: Centennial Park - Busby Ponds THIS WEEK: MEDIUM LAST WEEK: HIGH
LOCATION: Hawkesbury River - Sackville THIS WEEK: MEDIUM LAST WEEK: MEDIUM
LOCATION: Hawkesbury River - Cattai THIS WEEK: MEDIUM LAST WEEK: MEDIUM
LOCATION: Hawkesbury River - Lower Portland THIS WEEK: MEDIUM LAST WEEK: MEDIUM
COMMENTS: NSW Health advises that any domestic use, including drinking, of untreated surface water should be avoided at all times.
HIGH 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.
MEDIUM (AMBER) ALERT: Blue-green algae may be multiplying and the water may have a green tinge and musty or organic taste and odour. Alternative drinking water supplies should be sought. Generally suitable for water sports, however people are advised to exercise caution in these areas, as blue-green algal concentrations can rise quickly in warm, calm weather conditions to high alert levels.
LOW/NIL (GREEN) ALERT: Blue-green algae occur naturally at low numbers. At these concentrations, algae do not pose any problems for recreational, stock or household use. 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 For the latest information on algal blooms at certain recreational sites within the Metropolitan and South Coast Regions. DNR Media Unit 9228 6394 or Frances Wood (02) 4224 9638
© NSW Department of Natural Resources
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