What to do if blue-green algae may be in your tank, on site storage, channel or creek system

A water sample should be collected and sent to an analytical laboratory to positively identify whether blue-green algae are present. Suitable laboratories may include:

Scoresby Vic 3179
Phone: 03 8756 8000
Fax: 03 9763 1862

La Trobe University
Bendigo
Ph: 03 5444 7890

Or alteratvely you can isolate this storage to avoid contamination and seek alternate water supplies. <Alternative Water Supplies>

The Department of Primary Industries is the responsible authority for providing advice about the management of blue-green algae in farm dams and can be contacted on 136 186. In the meantime, we suggest the following:

• Alternative water supplies be sought.
• Livestock be kept away from affected water.
• If no alternative supply is available, pumping water from areas not covered in a scum or deeper areas of the dam MAY reduce algal exposure and risks.

Phone the Blue-green Algae Hotline on 1800 999 457

Please note that the use of algicides is prohibited in creeks, rivers and lakes.

Alternative Water Supplies

When algal blooms are present in the water channel or supply point, you should seek alternative water supplies for domestic use and stock watering. Boiling the water will not make it safe and may in fact increase the toxicity of the water. It is difficult to determine the toxicity of the bloom as it can change from day to day. So it is best to assume that all blooms are producing toxins and to act accordingly.

Individuals will have to determine the best options for their particular circumstances.  Options may include good quality bore water, carted water, bottled water or tank water. 

Advice on the safety of alternative sources of drinking water supply may be obtained from local government environmental health officers and urban water authorities.

Advice on the safety and suitability of alternative sources for on-farm use (eg stock watering) may be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries by phoning 136 186 or www.dpi.vic.gov.au and search on blue-green algae.

<Information about securing safe water supplies>

What is being done?

The Murray and Sunraysia Regional Algal Coordinating Committees are continuing to monitor the water. Warning signs have been erected at key sites along the affected stretch of the Murray River to advise the public not to come into contact with the affected water.

Given the extent of the bloom, not all affected locations can be sign posted; and water users are advised to use personal discretion at all times before entering any water body.

How might the algae in the Murray River affect me?

The algae have been detected at levels that may cause gastroenteritis if consumed, as well as skin irritation, and respiratory and hay-fever like symptoms upon contact. If you feel ill following contact with Murray River water, you should seek medical advice.

Can I swim or undertake other watersports?

Swimming and water sports or activities, including waterskiing, which result in direct contact with affected water are not recommended.

Can I use water from the Murray River within the home?

Untreated river water should never be used for human consumption. Boiling the water will not inactivate algal toxins. Affected river water will be unsuitable for domestic purposes, such as bathing and showering.

Are town water supplies safe to drink?

LMW have put in place treatment systems to manage risks from the blue green algal toxins to town drinking water supplies.  Town drinking water supplies along affected sections of the Murray River remain safe to drink. 

Is it safe for pets and other animals to access water from the Murray River?

Dogs and other pets can also experience health effects through exposure to blue green algae, do not let them enter or drink water affected with blue green algae.

Livestock owners are reminded to continue to check stock water supplies for blue green algae and to remove stock from foreshores where blue green algae may be present.

Treatment

At present, there are few options for the treatment of blue-green algal affected water. Urban water authorities employ sophisticated treatment systems including expensive activated carbon treatment to treat drinking water supplies. Commercially available systems for treating individual household drinking water supplies do exist, although these are not suitable for treating the large volumes of water needed for livestock water supply.

Copper sulphate, or other copper based products, are often promoted as algicides for use in farm dams etc.  These products can have major ecological impacts (eg cause fish fills and kill other 'good' algae), and should never be used in creeks, rivers or lakes.  They need to be applied before algae blooms occur, and don't fix the problem in the long-term (they can actually make the problem worse, as algae release toxins as they die). Specific approval from regulatory authorities (EPA) is required for their use.

In short, treatment of water for domestic and stock or irrigation use by individuals is likely to be impracticable, however potential sources of information on this option are:

• Department of Primary Industries 
• Municipal Environmental Health Officers
• Department of Human Services, Victoria
• NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure 

Further Information

Information updates about the blue green algae bloom in the Murray River can be obtained from the Regional Algal Coordinating Committee Information Hotline on 1800 999 457.

Alert Level Framework

A framework of alert levels has been developed and agreed to by water authorities and government agencies throughout Victoria. These have been established to provide a uniform and consistent set of guidelines for water supply authorities which manage waterbodies and have the responsibility of supplying consumers with water that is safe to use and drink.  Alert levels are determined as follows:

Alert level 1 (Low)

These numbers are typical of non-bloom conditions in nutrient enriched waters. The water should be free of visible colour, but some blue-greens may impart tastes and odours to the water.

Alert level 2 (Medium)

These cell numbers tend to indicate that blue-green algae are multiplying. The water may exhibit a green tinge, and musty or organic tastes and odours. Scums may form at cell numbers exceeding 5,000 cells/mL. Alternative drinking water supplies or water treatment must be considered.

Alert level 3 (High)

These numbers represent bloom conditions. The water may be distinctively green and have a strong musty or organically polluted taste and odour. Toxicity must be presumed and the water considered unsafe for human consumption and contact, and unsafe for stock water supply. Scums are often present. Recreation activities involving direct skin contact must be curtailed.

LMW staff regularly monitor and inspect the region's water supply and irrigation systems for blue-green algae as part of their daily duties.

Warning signs are erected at sites that have high levels of blue-green algae to assist in alerting the community to the presence of blue-green algae and to warn against certain activities in the affected water. Media releases are put in local newspapers to ensure that the wider community is aware of the problem.