TOXIC ALGAE WARNINGS

Selwyn River & Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora)

Updated 18 May 2009

 

The latest water tests by Environment Canterbury show that the Selwyn River and Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) are still infested with toxic algae.

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Last month ECAN cautioned that other waterways might be too. The culprits are:

• a dark-brown to black algae called Phormidium, which forms mats in rivers, and

• a bright green or red algae called Nodularia which forms scums and shoreline foams in lakes and ponds.

 

ECAN scientist, Shirley Hayward warned that dogs and humans should stay out of the Selwyn River and Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora).

 

She added that other rivers or ponds might also have toxic algae.

 

“People should avoid any areas which have thick algal growths (dark brown/black mats in rivers - or bright green or red scums in lakes and ponds)”.

 

Water queries: Shirley Hayward, ECan Surface Water Quality Scientist, (03) 372 7055, shirley.hayward@ecan.govt.nz

 
Health queries: Dr Alistair Humphrey, Community and Public Health, 03 379 9480 ext 82747

 

Read more here.