Bushfire ash contamination in Sydney’s main water source has forced utilities to use alternatives for the city’s drinking water after last week’s deluge in the catchment area.
The rain, doubled water levels in the dam last weekend but brought with it significant amounts of sediment, ash and debris.
Ash from bushfires has been washed into the Warragamba Dam, prompting authorities to use alternative water sources.Credit:Jenny Evans
The ash, sediment and debris is “clearly visible” on the surface of Lake Burragorang at Warragamba Dam, which normally supplies the majority of Sydney’s water, WaterNSW said on Friday.
The unusually high levels of debris were the result of “unprecedented” levels of bushfire ash and soil erosion due to reduced ground cover, after more than 320,000 hectares within the Warragamba Catchment were affected by bushfires, WaterNSW said.