Sludge sighted in waters around Griffith Island, The Passage Port Fairy

Moyne Shire Council issued an alert on social media today after reports of the altered conditions at Griffith Island and the Passage over the past two days.

The council said the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning had been notified and was conducting water testing.

"If you see any unusual substances or notice a smell in the water, please avoid going into the water," the council statement says.

The Department on Thursday confirmed Water samples had been collected from near the surf at multiple locations around Port Fairy.

"Testing of water samples taken from multiple locations around Port Fairy is continuing," DELWP Barwon South West Regional Agency Commander Barry James said on Thursday afternoon.

"DELWP collected the samples from waters around Griffith Island and the Passage following reports of a sludge-like substance in the water.

"As DELWP is the control agency for response to Blue Green Algae events, the water samples are being tested to identify the substance.

"Test results are expected within the coming days.

"Members of the public are advised to avoid direct contact with water off the coast of Port Fairy if they observe discolouration in the water.

"Anyone who experiences illness after coming into contact with discoloured water in this area should seek medical advice."

It comes just two months after two surfers were hospitalised after contact with brown, "sludge-like" substances in waters at The Passage.

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Both The Passage and Griffith Island are in close proximity to Wannon Water's sewage ocean outfall.

No link has been made between the outfall and the substances in the water.

Wannon Water told The Standard at the time it had not experienced any issues with our Port Fairy Sewage Treatment Plant or the outfall.

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