Public warned to keep out of Rotorua lakes after toxic bloom outbreak

11.45am

A health warning has been issued for the whole of Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotorua and the Kaituna River, following a large outbreak of toxic algal bloom.

The public is being warned to avoid the algae-filled water and any activity which could include contact with it.

Officials have warned the toxins within the algae can cause severe stomach upsets, skin rashes, liver problems and can affect bodily functions.

It is the first time all three waterways have been slapped with a single warning, and it is the first such warning for the Kaituna River.

The warning comes after a series of tests by Environment Bay of Plenty confirmed high cell counts of toxic cyanobacteria blue-green algae in both the lakes, joined by the Ohau Channel and the river which runs from Lake Rotoiti.

Bay of Plenty Medical Officer of Health Phil Shoemack said although there had been concern about the river in the past because of its Okere Arm link to Lake Rotoiti, it was the first time a high cell count had been confirmed there.

The Kaituna River is home to at least eight rafting companies.

Rafting operators contacted yesterday had not been told of the warning but Wet 'n' Wild Rafting Company manager Noel Rusben said clients always wore full length wetsuits and splash jackets which would protect them from the water.

"At this stage we will continue to operate but we will have to check out the situation to make sure everything is okay to keep operating."

Dr Shoemack said although people should take notice of the health warning they could not ban anyone from entering the water.

"It is not a ban. We cannot prevent people from swimming or drinking the water. We are giving them advice which they have to choose to heed."

Environment Bay of Plenty freshwater scientist Matthew Bloxham said it was hard to tell how long the algae would bloom.

"It may be for a reasonably short duration but it may last longer."

Hamurana was the worst affected part of Lake Rotorua, recording cell counts well above anything recorded since monitoring began in 1997, he said.

Not every part of both lakes was affected by the high counts but the results from affected areas were high enough to place the warning over both lakes in their entirety, Dr Shoemack said.

Hamurana's Marama Resort and Okawa Bay's Duxton Resort did not want to comment on the effect the bloom could have on their operations.

Lakes Water Quality Society chairman Ian McLean said while the warning was not surprising it was bad news for Rotorua and tourism.

"People will be rightly cautious of stepping past health warnings to do with water," Mr McLean said.

"It is very bad news indeed. It is more than short term because you will have people turning off from Lake Rotorua and heading to Taupo or Queenstown. This will harm the reputation of Rotorua."

But Tourism Rotorua general manager Don Gunn said the warning should not affect Rotorua's reputation as the city still had plenty for people to do and other lakes to use.

"We still have other healthy lakes like Tarawera and the Blue Lake."

In recent years only Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoehu had been subjected to health warnings.

The past summer did not see as much bloom over Lake Rotoiti as previous years. Until yesterday only Okawa Bay and Te Weta Bay had health warnings in place.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)