Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is urging swimmers and dog owners to stay alert for toxic algae in the Tukituki River after multiple blooms have been identified near Walker Rd, near Waipawa in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Regional council water quality and ecology monitoring team lead Jordan Ellmers says toxic algae poses potential health risks for people and dogs if touched or ingested.
”We’ve had a spell of long, hot days in Hawke’s Bay - river levels are dropping, and water is moving slowly, creating the perfect environment for algal growth. The mats can vary in colour from brown/black when in the water to a pale brown/whitish colour when dry and should not be touched.“
”Toxic algae can emit a musky smell that’s particularly appealing to dogs. Once they’ve had a sniff, it can be hard to stop them from licking or eating it. As we begin to see toxic algae appearing in the shallows, we also encourage people to keep an eye on small children paddling in these areas as they are more likely to swallow water or touch algae and put it in their mouths.”
During summer, the regional council environmental monitoring team tests sites weekly along the Tukituki River, with additional sites on the Tūtaekurī and Esk rivers. T
