Blue-Green Algae Red Alert Issued for Peter Faust Dam Near Whitsundays

Residents, visitors and water users near the Whitsundays are being urged to exercise caution after high levels of potentially harmful blue-green algae were detected at Peter Faust Dam, prompting a Red Alert.

Routine monitoring confirmed the elevated algae levels on Friday, 30 January, with authorities warning the bloom may pose serious health risks to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife.

Peter Faust Dam, located inland from Proserpine and a key water source for the Whitsundays region, is a popular area for recreation and fishing, making the alert particularly significant for locals and tourists alike.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that may cause skin irritation, stomach illness, respiratory symptoms and other health effects if people or animals come into contact with contaminated water.

During the Red Alert period, authorities are advising the public to avoid all direct contact with the dam’s water, including swimming, boating and other recreational activities. Drinking untreated water from the dam is strongly discouraged, and people are urged to stay clear of visible surface scums, particularly in windy conditions when algae particles may become airborne.

Pet owners and landholders are also being warned to keep animals away from affected areas, while the consumption of mussels, redclaw and fish from the dam should be avoided. If fish are consumed, they should be thoroughly cleaned with clean water and have all internal organs removed before cooking.

Sunwater has confirmed the alert will remain in place until ongoing monitoring shows algae levels have reduced to safe limits. Signage has been updated at the storage, and regular testing will continue.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected by blue-green algae is encouraged to seek medical advice. For the latest updates, residents can visit Sunwater’s blue-green algae monitoring page.

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Residents are advised to monitor the situation via Sunwater’s blue-green algae monitoring page. Photo source: Sunwater

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