Algae warning lifted at lake

BLUE-green algae in Lake Eppalock has dropped below the level required for a warning to be in place for the first time in 160 days.

Goulburn-Murray Water staff removed the warning last week after a decline in readings at the popular boating, skiing, fishing and swimming spot.

GMW quality coordinator Bianca Atley issued the initial warning in January this year stating that people using the recreation area needed to “take care to avoid direct contact” with the water.

Blue-green algae are a natural and common occurrence that can be harmful to humans and animals and grow best on warm, sunny and still days with the winter weather likely contributing to the reduction.

Contact with, or the ingestion of, contaminated water can lead to skin irritation, eye and nose soreness, earaches, nausea, and vomiting.

A statement from GMW said staff will continue to monitor water quality in the lake and said if blue-green algae levels become unsafe again “a warning will be issued”.

Up-to-date blue-green algae warnings can be found at g-mwater.com.au and customers were reminded that water supplied by GMW is primarily for agricultural use and must be treated first before being used for human consumption.