Blue-Green Algae alert for Lake Albert

Blue-Green Algae alert for Lake Albert - 23 March 2015

Wagga Wagga City Council has issued an alert for blue-green algae in Lake Albert and advises that from today, contact with water from the lake should be avoided.

“High numbers of toxic blue-green algae has been detected in Lake Albert, in sufficient numbers to pose a hazard to public health,” Manager Environment and Recreation Services Mark Gardiner said.

“Council advises people and domestic animals not to come into contact with water from the lake.

“The water from Lake Albert is unsuitable for ALL uses including drinking, and recreational use.

“Particular care should be taken where algae can be seen, or where the water has a strong odour.

“Blue-green algae can appear as specking, suspended clumps or as algal scums which take the form of green or yellow discoloured slicks on the water surface.”

Pets are at risk from the algae, with dogs especially susceptible to toxins.

Blue-green algal blooms generally occur in waters rich in nutrients, in particular phosphorus. These nutrients originate from activities within the lake, particularly after periods of high temperature and/or rainfall events.

Wagga Wagga City Council is a member of the Murrumbidgee Regional Algal Coordinating Committee and is following the protocols contained in the Murrumbidgee Regional Algal Contingency Plan.

Council will continue to monitor the situation and the community will be notified as soon as the readings are at an acceptable level.