Amber alert for blue-green algae at Clarrie Hall Dam

15 January 2025

Tap water across the Tweed remains safe to drink and bathe in despite Tweed Shire Council raising the blue-green algae alert to amber for Clarrie Hall Dam. 

Council Manager Water and Wastewater Operations Brie Jowett said the amber alert meant blue-green algae are multiplying in the dam and the affected dam water might have a green tinge and a musty or organic odour.

“Routine Testing by the NATA-accredited Tweed Laboratory Centre indicates blue green algae numbers are increasing,” Mrs Jowett said.

“Our water treatment processes are very robust — we remove blue-green algae from the water when blooms occur, so our tap water remains perfectly safe.”

Mrs Jowett said Council always took a precautionary approach, advising caution whenever blue-green algae has been detected. 

“While this alert is active, don’t not eat fish or shellfish from the dam and avoid recreational activities that involve contact with the water, such as kayaking on the dam,” Ms Jowett said.

“Please remember to never drink untreated water from any river, creek or dam at any time.

“Because water in the dam and its upstream and downstream tributaries potentially could be unsafe to livestock, keep animals away and do not water livestock with untreated water.

“If you come into contact with the algae, rinse it off with fresh water and seek medical advice if symptoms appear,” she said.

A blue-green algae alert has been in place for Clarrie Hall Dam since December 2024, when Council issued a green alert.

Council is monitoring the situation, increasing testing at Clarrie Hall Dam to twice a week.

Monitoring at other sites will continue weekly.

Warning signs remain in place at public access points to the dam to inform the public of the presence of blue-green algae and any potential risk.

Keep up with blue-green algae alerts at tweed.nsw.gov.au/recreational-blue-green-algae-alerts.

For more information on blue-green algae, visit waternsw.com.au/algae.