Health Warning – Lake Okaro

A Health warning has been issued today for Lake Okaro by the Medical Officer, Dr Phil Shoemack. Water samples taken from the lake earlier this week confirm the presence of blue-green algae at levels which may result in adverse health effects such as skin rashes, tummy upset, and aggravation of hay fever or asthma in susceptible individuals.

In recent summers Lake Okaro, near Rainbow Mountain approximately twenty kilometres to the south of Rotorua, has shown to be prone to similar blooms, some of which have persisted for several months.

Environment Bay of Plenty staff will continue to monitor water quality in each of the Rotorua lakes over the summer months and the public will be advised of any changes in water quality that are of public health significance. Rotorua District Council will be erecting signs at Lake Okaro advising potential lake users of the algal bloom.

The status of water quality throughout the area covered by Environment Bay of Plenty can be checked at www.envbop.govt.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media