Social media was abuzz with claims the town’s water was already been affected by the discovery of low levels of chemical contaminants in the water.

Elevated levels of PFAS have been discovered in the town’s water treatment bore but still well below safe drinking standards.

A Power and Water spokeswoman said recent rain had “stirred up” the Katherine River, particularly at the Donkey Camp Weir where the town supplies are drawn.

“More chlorine was added to counter the increasingly dirty water,” the spokeswoman said.

The extra chlorine helped remove a bio-film on the outside of the pipes which led to the dirty water.

Power and Water have been flushing main and secondary pipes to get rid of any residue dirt so water might be murky for a while yet.​

”The water is safe to drink,” the Power and Water spokeswoman said.     

The spokeswoman said there were no plans to stop using the town’s water treatment plant bore.

Meanwhile, the Parks and Wildlife Commission has advised the Katherine River within Nitmiluk National Park including Katherine Gorge has been closed to swimming and canoeing.

Leliyn (Edith Falls) remains open to swimming and walking.

The Nitmiluk Centre gauge has risen sharply although it is steady today.

Assistant Director of the Savannah/ Gulf Division for the Parks and Wildlife Commission, Andrew Davies, said as a result, the river has been closed in accordance with established procedures such as park and district emergency procedures and crocodile risk management plans.

“Established Parks and Wildlife Commission procedures are in place for when the Katherine River reaches -1.1m at the Nitmiluk Centre river gauging station, and this includes closing the Katherine River within the park to some water based activities such as canoeing and swimming in the second and third gorges and beyond.

“Always remember to ‘Be Crocwise’ when you are around any waterway. Saltwater crocodiles are known to move into the Katherine River throughout the year and rising river levels may make it easier for them to travel upstream. Stay out of the water and back from the edge unless an area is designated as safe for swimming,” Mr Davies said. 

Nitmiluk Tours continues to operate their range of river cruises and helicopter tours, and the majority of the parks extensive walking track network is still open.

Swimming is still permitted in the Southern Rockhole and Lily Ponds Upper Pools/ Waterfall until such time as the river rises more.

Park visitors are encouraged to monitor the commissions Facebook page and the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for rainfall and river data.