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Environment Bay of Plenty
has issued health warnings at Lake Rotoiti's popular Okawa Bay.
No swimming and no contact with the water signs
were erected yesterday following the spraying of an agent
to combat the recently discovered algae bloom.
Rotoiti residents fear the bloom
could spread to other parts of the lake.
These ducks are completely oblivious
to the warnings about the algae bloom at this part
of Lake Rotoiti.
Residents, however, do not have the luxury of ignoring them.
This is yet again one of those horrors rearing it's ugly head,
this time at Okawa Bay.
It's blooming quite bad.
Having had alum sulphate sprayed,
the council is now investigating why there is a toxic algae bloom
and whether or not the agent used will be effective.
It's better not to apply it right now and to wait and see
if it is appropriate to use.
According to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council
the bloom has appeared here, and other places,
because of the heat at this time of year.
Environmental experts from the universities will be here
to find out whether or not the agent used is OK or not.
There are other things those experts
will be considering as well.
The nutrients go along the diversion wall
and go down the Okere River and out to Kaituna.
It will need to be managed long term.
Hinerangi Goodman, Te Karere.