Cooby, Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams closed to water-based activities

Toowoomba Regional Council has closed Cooby, Cressbrook and Perseverance Dams for water-based activities until further notice.

Toowoomba Regional Council Water and Waste General Manager Damian Platts said Council officers had decided to stop water-based activities at all three dams as a safety precaution due to health concerns related to increased microorganism levels.

“Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when each of the dams can re-open,” Mr Platts said.

“The microorganism levels represent no risk to drinking water supplies as the water treatment, and disinfection process removes them.

“Council monitors the three dams weekly for algae and numerous microbiological parameters including E.coli. We also test chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, colour, turbidity and phosphate.

“The treatment process is also closely monitored (daily). When the water leaves the treatment plant, we conduct tests in the distribution system under our Drinking Water Quality Management Plans.

“These plans line up with the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008.

“Even if we are not using a particular dam, but a test shows that levels are too high for primary contact (swimming) or secondary contact (boating) we inform Council’s Parks and Recreation Services branch about closing a facility to the public.”

“These events can expect to become more regular as dam levels decrease due to the ongoing dry conditions.”

To view activities open or closed at the dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus