2014/21: Fitzroy River (Rockhampton) Raw Water

The raw water also contains low background concentrations of fluoride. The specific
source of the fluoride is unknown. Relatively high concentrations of iron and
manganese have also been observed in the raw water. During a flood event in April
2017 raw water with total iron concentrations of up to 14 mg/L were recorded.
Similarly, February 2021 to June 2021 recorded total manganese concentrations
above 7 mg/L.

Low levels of the cyanobacterial toxin cylindrospermopsin were detected during a
bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in late 2014. This toxin-producing species of
cyanobacteria is usually detected during prolonged periods of low raw water turbidity
in late winter and spring. Low levels of the potentially toxic Anabaena circinalis and
Microcystis aeruginosa are also detected usually from early spring.