Tweed Shire Council has lifted its blue-green algae alert for the Tweed River at Uki, yet the amber alert for Clarrie Hall Dam remains.
While all restrictions on recreational activities from the river at Uki have been removed, the restrictions continue at the dam.
Tweed Shire Council Water and Wastewater Operations Manager Brie Jowett said recent testing by the NATA-accredited Tweed Laboratory Centre had not detected algae in the Tweed River at Uki.
Algae continues to be detected in Clarrie Hall Dam and testing has detected potential toxin-producing species in that waterway.
“From today, people can use the Tweed River at Uki for recreational purposes,” Mrs Jowett said.
“However, our restrictions at the dam remain. Do not eat fish including shellfish from the dam and never drink untreated dam or river water at any time.
“If you come into contact with the algae, rinse it off with fresh water and seek medical advice if symptoms appear.
“Because water in the dam and its upstream tributaries potentially could be unsafe for livestock, keep animals away and do not water livestock with untreated water.”
Warning signs remain in place at Crams Farm and the Clarrie Hall Dam wall.
The dam has recently stopped spilling with the current water level just below the spillway level.
Mrs Jowett said Council was continuing to monitor the situation and maintain testing twice a week at the dam and weekly from the Tweed River at Uki and Bray Park, as well as the Oxley River at Tyalgum.
“We source Tweed tap water from these waterways. If algae is detected at any of our water extraction sites, we will adjust our water treatment processes as required to ensure tap water remains safe to drink and bathe in,” she said.
Council issued an amber alert for blue-green algae at the Clarrie Hall Dam on 5 May and at the Tweed River at Uki on 18 May after test results showed blue-green algae had been detected and could have been multiplying in the affected waterways.
Blue-green algae occurs naturally and can reproduce quickly in favourable conditions where there is still or slow-flowing water, abundant sunlight and the water is nutrient-rich.
People who believe they may have been affected by blue-green algae are advised to seek medical advice.
Monitor blue-green algae alerts on our website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/recreational-blue-green-algae-alerts
