Algae & blue-green algae - 2004

Indicator description

What does the data tell us for 2000/2004

Council monitored all water catchments over the reporting period for the presence of algal blooms as well as regularly testing all water supply pondages.

In the unlikely event that potentially toxic blue-green algae increases to critical levels in any of Shoalhaven's drinking supplies, a Contingency Plan has been established to ensure that a safe water supply is maintained to consumers at all times.

Kangaroo Valley water supply has been a source of concern with high cell counts of blue-green algae first identified in 1997. Since 2001, blue-green algae monitoring in Kangaroo Valley has been undertaken by the Sydney Catchment Authority with sampling closely linked to the water transfers between Fitzroy Falls Reservoir, Bendeela Pondage and Lake Yarrunga. During the reporting period levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae species were below incident levels.