The Shire of Gingin and the Department of Health are warning people to avoid swimming and other full-body water immersion activities in Moore River at Guilderton after recent sampling results detected amoeba and high bacteria levels at several sampling locations.

Secondary contact activities such as kayaking and boating are currently not impacted by this warning.

Elevated bacterial levels have the potential to increase the risk of people experiencing gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin, ear, eye and throat illnesses and infections if people swim in or accidently ingest the water.

Anyone who has entered these waters and experiencing symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal, chest pain etc, should seek medical attention and notify the Department of Health’s environmental health directorate on 9222 2000 (during office hours) or email ehinfo@health.wa.gov.au

Moore River is part of a broader agricultural catchment area and downstream river flow can bring nutrients, organic matter, sediments and animal faeces and waste.

Amoeba warning signs are permanently displayed around the Moore River caravan park-river mouth area and temporary health warning signs have also been erected.

The Shire of Gingin will continue to monitor microbial water quality and liaise with the Department of Health to advise when conditions have improved to levels suitable for swimming and other recreational water contact activities.

Further information regarding water quality and tips for healthy swimming is available on the Department of Health website at http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/

This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 25 January 2023.