Community » What's Happening » Lake Taupo algal blooms
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ON WATCH: We'll keep on monitoring sites, and conducting visual inspections.
15 December 2017
The health warning issued last week for parts of Lake Taupō has now been lifted by the Medical Officer of Health.
Waikato Regional Council staff will be collecting samples from 12 of the lake’s bathing beaches weekly, and conducting visual inspections for signs of algal bloom, as part of a wider monitoring programme.
With hot, calm conditions and the presence of plant nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen in water, the conditions are right for blooms to occur in our region’s waterways over summer. They can develop rapidly and unpredictably and in some cases can produce toxins that are harmful for people as well as animals.
We have staff on standby over the Christmas-New Year period to respond to any reports from the public of algal blooms in our region’s waterways. People who see what they think are algal blooms can report sightings to 0800 800 401.
If the water looks discoloured, smells unusual, if there is scum on the surface, or the water has green or brown particles suspended in it – then it is best to avoid contact with the water and swim or play somewhere else.
