Environment Canterbury is warning recreational users and dog owners that potentially harmful cyanobacteria are still present in Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora and the Selwyn River.
Results from samples collected last week indicate that the levels of cyanobacteria exceed Australian and draft New Zealand guidelines for recreational waters in some areas of the lake.
Inspection of the Selwyn River showed that the toxic algae Phormidium was still present in part of the river, particularly the lower reaches below State Highway One.
Warnings of toxic algae are also still in place for Lake Forsyth/Wairewa and Lake Rotorua (Kaikoura).
Dog owners should be particularly wary and keep their dogs away from these areas until the algal levels have reduced.
For more information/updates:
http://ecan.govt.nz/Our+Environment/Water/SwimmingWaterQuality/ToxicAlgae.htm
Contact: Tim Davies, Surface Water Resources and Ecosystems Manager, (03) 372 7084, 027 215-0789.