Whanganui District Council to look at Virginia Lake algae

A thick green film of algae has formed at Rotokawau Virginia Lake. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Councillors will get a chance to question Whanganui District Council staff over the algae problems at Rotokawau Virgina Lake following concerns raised by the public.

A dark green algal bloom covering the lake has prompted calls to council and discussion on social media.

Council staff are now preparing a paper on the issue and will present it to councillors at the end of the month.

On Tuesday the council responded to concerns saying testing revealed the algae is Microcystis wesenbergii, which it says is non-toxic.

Chief executive Kym Fell said the algae was increasingly common in New Zealand and would "resolve naturally".

"We are doing everything we can, but ultimately we are dealing with a natural process, which is exacerbated by warmer temperatures," he said.

Following further questions from the Chronicle about what testing had done and what other mitigation measures could be considered, council said in a statement: "An update on the algae situation at Rotokawau Virginia Lake will be prepared as a paper for the council's Property and Community Services Committee which is scheduled for 29 May."