By JO-MARIE BROWN
Parts of Lake Taupo and Lake Tarawera are the latest areas to be declared off limits because of the potentially toxic algal bloom plaguing central North Island lakes.
Health warnings advising people not to swim, shower or drink water from Whakaipo Bay in Lake Taupo and a popular
bay of Lake Tarawera known as "the Landing" were issued yesterday by the Bay of Plenty's medical officer of health, Dr Phil Shoemack.
Five lakes around Rotorua and Taupo have now been partly or fully placed off limits this year because of the cyanobacteria bloom.
Health warnings are still in place on Lake Rotoehu and Okawa Bay in Lake Rotoiti, but bans on parts of Lake Rotorua and the rest of Lake Rotoiti were lifted last Monday.
Significant skin contact with water affected by the algal bloom could cause liver and nervous system problems and skin rashes and set off asthma or hayfever attacks.
The problem occurs in lakes where the nutrient levels are thought to be too high. Nitrogen and phosphorus seep into the water from stock effluent, fertilisers and septic tanks and then provide ideal conditions for the bloom to flourish in certain climatic conditions.
Dr Shoemack said this was just the second time the blue-green algae had posed a serious health risk on Lake Tarawera. A health warning was issued in 1998 at the southern "hot water beach" end of the lake.
Tarawera Landing Cafe owner Bob Higgins said crowds of families and fishermen gather at the bay every weekend to play in the water or launch their boats.
"It's a very popular spot and this is more than unfortunate."
Herald Feature: Environment
