Dog owners are being warned of the dangers of letting their pets swim in the Territory’s lakes and rivers.
In a statement, the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate said designated swimming areas in ACT lakes and rivers were sampled for water quality throughout the year, but decisions on whether or not the water was safe for swimming did not consider pets.
“Sampling for primary contact recreation (swimming) is intended for submersion of the whole human body and not applicable for domestic animals of varying size who may also drink the water, therefore increasing their exposure level,” the Directorate said.
“Tolerance levels for exposure to declining water quality are calibrated to the average human body’s size and weight, domestic pets do not fit within this tolerance zone,” it said.
The Directorate warned that dogs were known to suffer ill effects from contact with blue-green algae at any time of the year, when running on beaches or swimming in the water.
Access Canberra said the algae grew naturally in Australian fresh and saline waters and were usually found in low numbers.
“However, when environmental conditions are favourable their numbers increase rapidly creating a ‘bloom’,” Access Canberra said.
It said drought conditions, high summer temperatures and high nutrient levels were all important factors in creating the conditions to cause algal blooms.
Further information on water quality in ACT swimming areas can be accessed at this PS News link and information on dog swimming areas at this link.
