RESIDENTS are urged to be mindful of their recreational activities this long weekend with blue-green algae warnings still current.
Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) said high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae had been detected at numerous locations including Lake Boga, the Murray River between Lake Hume and Barham/Koondrook, and within the Torrumbarry Irrigation area.
“GMW is advising the public to enjoy their time by the shores of Victoria’s waterways, but to avoid direct contact with water that contains high levels of blue-green algae,” a spokesperson said.
GMW said hot weather and low, slow flowing water provided perfect conditions for the algae to spread.
While GMW continues to monitor the situation with regular water sampling, they said it was not possible to predict how long the algae would remain at high levels.
Town water supplied by GMW, Coliban Water, North East Water and Lower Murray Water is not affected by blue-green algae and is safe for all drinking, bathing and food preparation purposes.
The outbreak has impacted many rural towns in recent days with some farmers forced to cart water during this week’s heatwave to ensure the survival of their livestock.
Murrabit dairy farmer Andrew Leahy has been monitoring the situation closely.
He is serviced by the Torrumbarry irrigation channel.
While high levels of blue-green algae have been detected in parts of this irrigation area, east of the Loddon River, he said there was no threat to his property at this stage.
Mr Leahy said any outbreak would have a huge impact on his farm which uses around 30,000 litres of water a day.
“You have to be aware it’s there and be organised,” he said, noting he had filled his dams which would provide a grace period of around one month.
“No one is sure if it will impact us, you have to be proactive and keep an eye on it.”
However, other towns on the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline had no warning their water supply would be cut last week following further outbreaks of blue-green algae in the Murray River.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWM Water) shut down its Pental Island pump last Friday.
Berriwillock, Chinkapook, Chillingollah, Culgoa, Lalbert, Manangatang, Nullawil, Sea Lake, Ultima and Waitchie were impacted, with water restrictions enforced for urban customers in these townships until further notice, in a bid to preserve water supplies.
On Wednesday GWM Water said water samples at Pental Island had indicated a temporary reduction in the concentrations of blue-green algae at that location of the Murray River.
As a result, GWM Water said it would utilise this window of opportunity and recommission the Pental Island pump, pushing water back through sections of the Northern Mallee Pipeline and Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
“Rural customers are advised to take the opportunity to fill their on-farm supplies as the pumps could be turned off again at short notice should the concentration of blue-green algae again increase above the trigger threshold,” GWM Water said.
“While GWM Water has been able to reverse pump from storages at Culgoa and Berriwillock to maintain an alternate supply to many rural properties supplied by the Pental Island system, there are instances where the system has been unable to deliver water to some properties, particularly in the Cannie Ridge, Swan Hill and Sea Lake areas.”
GWM Water said while reverse pumping on this section of the supply system had not been done before, this incident proved the flexibility of the system.
“This gives us added confidence that should the extended algal bloom coming down the river impact again, we have an effective alternate supply to assist in securing the system for farmers and town residents.”
