News

Redcliffe’s blue spill remains a mystery

The source of a blue substance which has spilled into a Redcliffe creek remains a mystery, 24 hours on from when it was reported.

The bright blue liquid was noticed yesterday morning and reported to the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service at 11.20am.

Three crews were sent to the scene, with the scientific response team following and conducting water testing, which showed the substance to be 'benign'. The situation was then handed back to Moreton Bay City Council to investigate.

This morning, a council spokeswoman said officers ‘continue to investigate the unknown blue substance in Humpybong Creek’.

“There has been little dispersion overnight and the spill remains localised. There is no indication of any current impact on wildlife. The water will be tested again today for dissolved oxygen levels,” the spokeswoman said.

“The substance has been sampled and is currently being tested. These tests will not be able to identify the exact substance, however the test will indicate if there is any presence of significant pollutants such as any increase in heavy metals.

“Tests can take up to seven days. Council therefore recommends that people avoid contact with the water.”

Council officers have inspected the stormwater system within a 400m radius of the affected area in a bid to establish a source of substance.

They are looking at options to ‘further manage the substance’.

“Options include dispersal of the substance through the flushing of the system or pumping out contaminated water and disposing of the water appropriately,” the spokeswoman said.