It is the 2nd time in less than a week the council has actually provided an alerting to dog owners about poisonous algae in Otago waterways.
6 days back, the council cautioned dog owners about Phormidium algae, likewise called Microcoleus, coming back in the Silver Stream near Mosgiel.
Now, the council stated in a declaration today cyanobacteria, a blue-green algae ( Anabaena lemmermannii), existed in Butchers Dam near Alexandra.
Contact with the algae might produce toxic substances which were damaging to people or animals, council water quality researcher Rachel Ozanne stated.
The cautioning to keep clear of the dam would stay in location up until weekly screening revealed that today health threat was no longer present.
Algae in lakes and dams typically started flowering at this time of year from a mix of increasing water temperature levels, the boost of sunshine hours and nutrients in the waterways, she stated.
A member of the general public informed the council of the existence of “an uncommon algae” at Butchers Dam, and council screening recognized it as poisonous.
” What’s occurred at Butchers Dam is an indicator that other lakes are most likely to experience algae blossoms too and the general public ought to notify themselves of what to search for,” Ms Ozanne stated.
Planktonic cyanobacterial blossoms were usually green in colour and might provide lakes a “pea soup” look.
They might likewise form noticeable green to red movies or “residues” on the water’s surface area, specifically at the water’s edge, she stated.
Other locations that might experience cyanobacteria blossoms around Otago consisted of Lake Hayes and Waihola, Falls Dam, Tomahawk Lagoon in Dunedin and some other tanks, she stated.
There had actually been circumstances in the past where pet dogs, birds, livestock and other wildlife passed away from direct exposure to the poisonous algal blossom, she stated.
” Afflicted animals ought to be required to a veterinarian right away,” she stated.
She prompted members of the general public who see green algae in lakes, or dark mats in streams and rivers, to get in touch with the council on its contamination hotline, 0800 800 033.
