Water sports event 'threatened by water contamination'

The annual world-famous Moomba Waterfest held in Melbourne may be cancelled this year due to concerns that the water of the Yarra River, in which it is held, is unsafe.

A decision is due on whether the event as the river tested positive for contamination levels 1,200 times above the safe limit recently, reported the Herald and Weekly Times.

One of the most prevalent bacteria detected in the water was e-coli, the count of which the department of human services says should be no higher than 200 parts per 100 millilitres of water. It measured 9,300 mid-week.

Going ahead with the Moomba event, which includes the Birdman Rally, could prove to be dangerous if contamination levels are too high, said the department.

It warned: "The sorts of conditions that are most likely to occur are gastroenteritis and, less commonly, respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections."

The Birdman Rally is a firm favourite among locals and tourists alike and sees locals leap out over the river in their most innovative bird-like devices to see who can 'fly' the furthest.