Toxic algae is beginning to form in the Wai-iti River and some mats are starting to detach, making it more of a threat for dogs.
The Tasman District Council began sampling the Wai-iti River last week for toxic algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which can be a risk for dogs or people playing in the river.
Council’s communications officer Tim O’Connell says coverage of toxic algae was 7.5 per cent, which is reasonable for this time of year. Some mats were starting to detach, meaning a greater likelihood of toxin production and it is more accessible for dogs as the mats get caught up at the edge of the river. He says coverage is still well below the 20 per cent guideline outlined by the Ministry for the Environment, so council is not intending to put up warning signs yet. However, with very little rain forecast, things could change in the next few weeks. They will continue sampling through to the end of February, and longer if coverage of toxic algae remains high. When coverage gets higher than 20 per cent, a warning sign will be placed over the permanent toxic algae information sign at the Waimea West Rd entry to the river.
Through summer, the council will be monitoring for the presence of toxic algae weekly on the Wai-iti, Lee, Roding and Tākaka Rivers, with many other rivers monitored monthly. Results can be found on the council’s website.
