Management of Blue-Green Algae by G-MW

Managing Hazards Associated with Blue Green Algal blooms 

G-MW undertakes a number of activities to manage the hazards associated with blue green algal blooms.  Our objective is to reduce the likelihood of harm arising from contact with, or use of, algal contaminated water. 

G-MW has been appointed by the Minister for Water as the Regional convener for Victorian River Basins 1-7 (Upper Murray, Kiewa, Ovens, Broken, Goulburn, Campaspe, Loddon) and a small part of 8 (Avoca).   G-MW follows the statewide framework for responding to blue-green algal blooms, which includes alert levels for potable and recreational waters.  

G-MW participates in the NSW Murray Region Algal Coordinating Committee (MRACC) that manages blooms in NSW waters, including the River Murray. 

Hazard Management

Contingency Planning

  • Local Waters – Bloom management plans are prepared for all water bodies managed by G-MW
  • Regional Plans – as Regional Convener, G-MW has prepared regional plans for each of the basins to coordinate the response to blooms that affect more than one local water body within a catchment

 These plans are reviewed annually. Monitoring – regular monitoring of BGA is undertaken.  Results are supplied to key stakeholders.  The BGA Alert Framework is used to determine the response to blooms.  Monitoring results are regularly reported to other regional stakeholders including urban water authorities, government agencies and departments (EPA, Human Services, Primary Industries and Sustainability and Environment), municipal councils and catchment management authorities. 

Response – once a bloom is detected a number of actions can be implemented, including:

  • Media alerts
  • Customer notification (verbally, by letter or via mass media, depending on the situation)
  • G-MW’s Algal Bloom Alerts telephone recording is updated
  • Formal notification of key stakeholders including Urban Water Authorities, DSE and DHS
  • Erection of warning signs
  • Increased monitoring
  • In some cases, releases from storages may be suspended. 

 

Research – G-MW does not directly undertake BGA research, but is well connected to a number of relevant research programs, for example:

CRC for Water Quality and Treatment                   http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/aboutdw_dwfacts.htm

Ecological Risk Assessment                                  http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/wsc/sresearch/ecological.html 

National Eutrophication Management Program  http://www.rivers.gov.au/research/nemp/index.htm 

Liaison and coordination – G-MW leads, or participates in relevant blue green algal coordination and liaison activities. 

Annual Reporting – An annual summary of BGA blooms is prepared.  A summary is included in our Safe Drinking Water Annual Report.