Byron Shire Council has voted to continue investigating the use of Lavertys Gap as a water supply for Mullumbimby despite staff advice that the scheme faces major regulatory hurdles, water quality concerns, and increasing costs.

The Ballina Shire Council says there aren’t any restrictions on recreational use of Lake Ainsworth.

As flood relief efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred remain ongoing, volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards are imploring the public to take safety seriously, with the use of rescue water craft likely to be significantly hampered ahead of the weekend.

Tweed Shire Council says independent laboratory testing has confirmed the Tweed’s tap water remains safe to drink, and well below current and proposed reduced limits for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) set by the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).

Long term local resident Donald Opie is worried about the loss of shellfish, seaweeds and crabs north and south of Ballina Shire Council's Skennars Head outfall, near Boulder Beach.

Water samples taken around Ballina Shire indicate its water is ‘good’, but caution still recommended for swimmers.

People with compromised immune systems were still being advised to avoid swimming in Ballina Shire waterways more than three months after catastrophic flooding in late February.

Recent sunshine on the Northern Rivers isn’t enough to warrant a dip in Ballina’s oceans and waterways with the council warning pollution post-floods could take several weeks to subside.

People often ask why should they be concerned about climate change? Well it turns out that Tweed Shire residents should be concerned because one of the impacts is on their water supply.

Disruption to water supply in Suffolk Park and surrounding areas on Wednesday led to sediment in the water with some residents saying it smelt following water maintenance work. .