While Hunter Water has assured the community that “our tap water remains safe to drink”, the news is not so good for members of the Grahamstown Aquatic Centre who have been banned from sailing.

A Hunter Water spokesperson said that the presence of blue green algae was not uncommon, and was generally caused by environmental factors including warm temperatures and calm, stable water conditions.

“We have notified NSW Health and implemented additional treatment measures to ensure the continued safety of our drinking water. Tap water is safe to drink,” the spokesperson said.

“We are conducting frequent testing and monitoring of the dam, and no toxins have been detected.”

The spokesperson said that advise to the temporary ban on the sailing club was “a precaution until advised otherwise”.

The aquatic club’s longtime member Frank Bardsley said members were looking for an alternative waterway, including those at Lemon Tree Passage and Belmont.

“Our new season kicks off on the October long weekend so we are meeting regularly in the hope of finding a suitable alternative,” he said.

“We have 30 members plus volunteers who sail two or three times a week and while we have had the problem of blue green algae before but I have not seen it this bad in 20 years. We need plenty of rain to stir up the water.”

The centre runs Sailability Port Stephens which aims to make sailing inexpensive and available to people with or without disabilities.

ALSO READ