Maitai River safe for swimming

Posted by Nelson City Council on 2 May 2012

Following heavy rain last weekend, the Maitai River has now been cleared of high levels of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae).

Nelson City Council’s Monitoring and Research Manager Martin Workman says the river is now safe to swim in and dog owners are free to let their dogs swim in, or drink from the river.

Council will continue to monitor the extent of cyanobacteria to minimise the risk to public health.

Cyanobacteria is present in all of Nelson’s waterways but has had particularly high coverage in areas of the Maitai particularly with the lack of rainfall in recent weeks.

Cyanobacteria produces the neurotoxin anatoxin, which is potentially lethal to dogs, stock and humans when ingested in large amounts.

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