Blue-green algae alert issued for Lake Albert

Published: 19 Jan 2024 9:23am

Wagga Wagga City Council is letting the community know that an alert for blue-green algae in Lake Albert has been issued this afternoon (18 January) and advises that contact with water from the lake should be avoided.

Similar to past summers, a combination of warm weather and an influx of nutrients from the catchment have resulted in an increase in blue-green algae blooms.

Manager Environment & Regulatory Services Mark Gardiner said while the blooms are in high numbers, water from Lake Albert is unsuitable for all uses, including drinking and recreational use.

“We’re advising everyone in the community to avoid coming into contact with water from the lake, and this includes your pets; dogs are especially susceptible to these toxins,” Mr Gardiner said.

“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.

Signs have been put up by Council advising people to stay out of the water.

Council will continue to monitor the situation.

“We appreciate everyone staying out of the water and we will notify the community as soon as the readings are at an acceptable level,” Mr Gardiner said.

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.

For more information about Lake Albert, visit the Lake Albert page on our website.