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24 Dec 2009
PRESS RELEASE
MICHAEL LAWS
MAYOR
WANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCIL
AN XMAS GIFT FROM VIRGINIA LAKE!
Council staff have presented Mayor Laws with a range of solutions to attempt to combat the current algal bloom problem at Virginia Lake.
The Lake was experiencing an algal bloom of green algae. Whilst it is not toxic the water at the Lake was sludgy, green and smelt unpleasant.
However, today the bloom has reduced significantly resulting in clearer water and the smell has gone.
“Algal blooms are a cyclical occurrence and develop when water nutrient levels are high and the weather is warm and still. Although the Lake appears to be back to normal I have instructed Council staff to come up with further solutions to combat the on-going issues of algal blooms, which will inevitably happen.
“Solutions include changing the settings on the solar bee to draw water from deeper in the lake. It is anticipated that the mixture of the colder and warm water will disrupt the growth pattern of the green algae.
“The solar bee may also be re-located within the Lake which will enable it to focus on areas of water that are particularly affected by the bloom. We are also considering getting a second solar bee but this is a longer term solution and will not happen until well into the new year.”
Should another algal bloom occur, council staff will also trial using a membrane, dragged behind a boat, to attempt to scoop the green algae from the Lake’s surface.
“Virginia Lake is one of our premier parks. The on-going issues of water quality at the Lake are frustrating, especially as the algal bloom coincides with the holiday season.
“Monitoring of the situation will continue and I will be getting regular updates on the situation to ensure everything that can be done is.”
ENDS
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