EPA update locals on mass Hunter River fish deaths

April 10th, 2026

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) have found pesticides were detected in the water at the time of a mass fish kill at the Hunter River at Singleton.

A large number of fish washed up in the Hunter River at Warkworth last month, hundreds dead in shallow waters and on the banks. It sparked immediate response from the EPA, undertaking water samples and reaching out to the local community.

Water quality testing results from the Hunter River between Gowrie and Luskintyre showed pesticides were present in the water at the time of the recent fish kill.

Why pesticides were found in the river, it’s unclear whether they were the cause of the fish deaths. The environmental watchdog is awaiting formal fish autopsy reports to confirm the exact cause of death.

Since then pesticide levels have dropped rapidly and continue to decrease.

In a statement they released to the community the EPA say their “officers continue to observe live fish, including juvenile fish fry, swimming in the river. Given the sensitivity of aquatic organisms to changes in water quality parameters and pollutants, it is reassuring to see that fish are no longer dying.”

The authority go on to say there can be many reasons for large fish death events “including natural reasons, such as low dissolved oxygen or human causes such as pollution or pesticide spills. Investigations are continuing into all possibilities.”

The EPA are continuing to sample water weekly and have confirmed there are no ongoing impact or risk to human health.

Anyone swimming in the river is asked to follow standard NSW Health advice not to drink any untreated water as a precaution.