What caused mysterious blue spill?

A mysterious blue spill which appeared in a Redcliffe creek last week has dissipated but what caused it? We ask Moreton Bay City Council.

The spill turned a large section of Humpybong Creek, in the heart of Redcliffe, blue on July 29 for several days.

A Moreton Bay City Council spokeswoman says it is unclear if the substance has settled to the bottom but there is ‘no evidence that the spill has migrated downstream’.

What it was remains a mystery.

“The results of water analysis have been received. A sample close to the drain area showed slightly elevated levels of iron and ammonia which occur naturally however all other levels were what you would expect from a roadside drain,” the spokeswoman says.

“The results have not been determinative in establishing the identity of the contaminant. Samples taken at the spill site, upstream and downstream all returned similar results.

“Council continues to work with the Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation to determine the source of the spill. Investigations are utilising remote-controlled drain cameras in an attempt to track the contaminant to its source.”

The spokeswoman says water quality was temporarily affected following the spill, but there has so far not been any ‘visible indication of impacts on native plants and animals’.

“Council continues to work with the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, and will consider appropriate management options as required,” she says.

The council spokeswoman says the Environmental Protection Act 1994 has ‘significant penalties for the unlawful release of contaminants to waterways’.

“If the source of the contaminant is able to be identified, consideration will be given in relation to appropriate regulatory action under the Act,” she says.