Blue Green Algae

For latest updates for Algae alerts with Water NSW

Monitoring

There is routine monitoring by the New South Wales Office of Water and Victorian agencies blue-green algae in the Murray River.

Cause

Blue-green algae is all to do with the warmer weather conditions, the low water flow, the lack of flushing out through the Murray system due to the drought, and the low level of water in the Hume Reservoir, where the blue-green algae had first gathered and then was sent down the Murray River.

There is blue-green algae in all water ways, but when the readings are a possible threat or harm to people, the responsible authorities have to make it public.

Solutions

The Murray River needs free flowing water, but that's not currently possible due to the lack of rain and water in the catchment areas. Other ways to eliminate blue-green algae are cold weather or strong winds.

How to prepare

• Bring your own fresh drinking water, as you would anytime you go camping
• Supermarkets will have supplies of bottled water available to purchase, as they do at other camping times of the year
• Drinking water from Lake Mulwala or Murray River is not advised, but it may not affect you. Please avoid the risk

Further information

Information updates about potential blue-green algae blooms and alerts can be obtained from www.waternsw.com.au.