15 June 2010
The Department of Health and Families precautionary advice for not swimming at Darwin beaches remains in place.Further testing has found E..coli at Dinah Beach and DHF has recommended people continue to avoid entering the water or fishing at all Darwin beaches until further notice.
DHF and NRETAS have now received results from an interstate laboratory confirming the algal mat thought to contribute significantly to the E..coli at the beaches is a marine form of blue-green algae, Lyngbya majuscala.
This marine algaecan cause skin reactions and affect the eyes and respiratory system, particularly in children. Additional signage will be posted warning about direct contact with the blue-green algae.
Lyngbya majuscala grows well in tropical waters and while more than 50 tonnes of the algal mat were removed by the Department of Construction and Infrastructure last weekend, the algae is still present in the water and on some beaches.
However, comparative water testing in deeper water has revealed low levels of E. coli. Further deep water testing will be conducted tomorrow to confirm these levels do not pose a risk to human health.
Beach testing will continue to be undertaken by Environmental Health Officers to determine water quality.
Media inquiries: Dale Webster 0401 116 203
