Managing Blue Green Algae
G-MW undertakes a number of activities to manage the hazards associated with blue green algae. Our objective is to reduce the likelihood of harm arising from contact with, or use of, blue-green algae contaminated water.
G-MW has been appointed by the Minister for Water as the Regional Coordinator for seven Victorian River Basins (Upper Murray, Kiewa, Ovens, Broken, Goulburn, Campaspe, Loddon) and a small part of the Avoca River Basin. G-MW follows the statewide framework for responding to blue-green algae, which includes trigger levels for drinking and recreational waters.
G-MW participates in the NSW Murray and Sunraysia Region Algal Coordinating Committees that manages blue-green algae warnings in NSW waters, including the River Murray.
Hazard Management
Planning
Local Water Management plans are prepared for water bodies managed by G-MW.
As Regional Coordinator, G-MW has also prepared regional plans to coordinate the response to warnings that affect multiple interconnected waterbodies.
Both the Local and Regional plans are reviewed annually.
Monitoring
Regular monitoring of blue-green algae is undertaken and results are reported to other regional stakeholders including urban water authorities, government agencies and departments, municipal councils and catchment management authorities.
Response
Once a warning has been issued a number of actions may be implemented, including:
- Media alerts
- Customer notification (verbally, by letter or via media, depending on the situation)
- G-MW’s Blue-green algae hotline (03) 5826 3785 will be updated
- G-MW’s Blue-green algae warnings webpage will be updated
- Formal notification of key stakeholders including Urban Water Authorities, DSE and DH
- Erection of warning signs at major recreational areas
- Increased monitoring
- In some cases, releases from storages may be suspended.
Research
G-MW does not directly undertake BGA research, but is connected to a number of relevant research programs, for example:
Annual Reporting
An annual summary of BGA blooms is prepared. A summary is included in our Safe Drinking Water Reports.