Sydney, Aust.'s main water source has algal

[donsu]

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?cid=13132&cat=dis&lang=eng


The New South Wales Government says the blue-green algae bloom on the surface of Sydney's main water source, Warragamba Dam, is continuing to grow and is now 14 kilometres long. Testing has confirmed there are no toxins in the water but consumers are likely to notice a change in taste and odour. The Water Minister, Phil Koperberg, says water was being drawn from 26 metres below the surface to avoid the bloom, but a decision has been made to lower that point to 48 metres. "It is a fact that this bloom is expanding in size and that is a direct consequence of the unseasonable weather we are having," he said. "Many parts of Sydney in the last 24 to 36 hours have had temperatures in the high 20s. "This bloom has been impacted upon by extended sunlight. "The depth and the surface will increase whilst ever these conditions prevail.")
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no toxins, yet.

[kirby]

1. This could be bad for the environment too...

I wonder if the beautiful wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef could be affected? These blooms can cause coral reef bleaching and dying due to lack of sunlight/nutrients in the water to support the ecosystems.

[donsu]

2. I've read that part of their reef is whitening

nt

[kirby]

3. Thats bad news...

The GBR is one of the last, largest, and most diverse ecosystems.

I found this too:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22226193-5005961,00.html

[donsu]

4. thanks for the link - what a toxic mess

nt