Health warning for lake
14 April 2014
A health warning now applies to both Okawa Bay and Okere Arm on Lake Rotoiti.
Routine monitoring results provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have confirmed blooms of blue-green algae which are potentially toxic in these two parts of the lake.
Contact with algal blooms can cause asthma and hayfever attacks in susceptible individuals, as well as skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.
Signage has been erected at the Okere Arm advising potential lake users about the algal bloom. Monitoring will continue and any changes in advice will be communicated accordingly.
The algal bloom health warning issued for Lake Rotoehu last month remains in place.
The public can obtain up-to-date information on this health warning by phone on 0800 221 555 or online from www.ttophs.govt.nz/health_warnings