The Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has closed the Cressbrook and Perseverance dams for water activities until further notice.
TRC’s Environment and Community Committee Portfolio Head, Cr Tim McMahon, said council officers have made the decision to halt aquatic activities at the two dam sites, as required. recreation guidelines.
“This is a precautionary closure to ensure that visitors do not suffer from any health problems due to the toxins present in the Cressbrook and Perseverance dams,” said Cr McMahon.
“While the recent rain was certainly welcome, our agents advised us that we had to close the dams due to water quality issues related to the recent runoff in the dam.
“We hope the dams reopen as soon as possible and to do so, the Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when that can happen.”
“We understand that the timing of these closings is not ideal and while we would have preferred the facilities to be open for water activities, we simply cannot take any health risks at this time.
Fortunately, the Council’s processing plant is able to handle this level of toxin and as such there will be no change in the picnic area or the campsites, the members of the community are therefore welcome to use these facilities.
“The Council monitors its dams weekly for algae and many microbiological parameters, including E. coli. We also test for chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, color, turbidity and phosphate.
“The treatment process is also closely monitored (daily). When the water leaves the treatment plant, we perform tests in the distribution network as part of our drinking water quality management plans.
“These plans comply with the 2008 Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act. “
To see the open and closed activities at the dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus
