SA Health Lake Alexandrina water quality advice

Health experts are warning people to avoid body contact with, and drinking from, Lake Alexandrina until further notice.

Water samples collected by SA Health on 29 April 2024 show continued elevated levels of potentially harmful blue green algae across Lake Alexandrina including Goolwa Channel. Concentrations at Goolwa have decreased from previous levels but they remain high and pose a health risk.

Lake Albert does not currently pose a health risk.

SA Health advises that further samples will be collected from Lake Alexandrina early next week. Sampling from Lake Albert will be stopped due to the lack of evidence of a bloom developing.

Unlike other blue green algae, the species detected at Lake Alexandrina generally does not form scums and is not easily visible to the naked eye.

People living in the area or visiting parts of the lake - which includes Goolwa Channel - can still enjoy boating and fishing but are strongly advised to take extra care not to ingest the water.

Consumption of water containing blue green algae can cause gastro-intestinal symptoms including vomiting, bloody diarrhoea as well as fever and headaches. Direct contact with the water may also cause local irritation to the skin, eyes, ears, nose and mouth.

If you have been in the water at Lake Alexandrina and you start feeling unwell, seek help. Consult with your GP and say you may have been exposed to blue green algae.

Pets are particularly vulnerable and should be kept out of the water. Algae may also stick to their fur, giving them a higher exposure.

Fish caught in the lake should be cleaned and gutted thoroughly before being eaten.

The type of blue green algae in the lake has not previously been detected in such high numbers in South Australia. While the cause is unknown, health experts believe climate variability may be a factor.

SA Water does not source water from the lake and has confirmed that water it supplies from other sources to the area remains safe to drink.

The following information was provided by SA Health on 3 April 2024.

You can read this advice on the SA Health website.

"Water samples from Lake Alexandrina on 21 March 2024 show elevated levels of potentially harmful blue green algae across the lake. Do not ingest water from Lake Alexandrina. Do not swim or dive until further notice."

Preventing illness
If you suspect contamination of water with blue green algae:

• do not use the water for any purpose including drinking, cooking, washing or showering (boiling the water will NOT make it safe to drink)
• do not consume shellfish sourced from the water
• do not let pets and livestock bathe in or drink contaminated water (particular care should be taken with dogs as they can ingest very high concentrations of organisms from grooming their coat after contact)
• if irrigation with water contaminated with blue green algae is unavoidable, do not use contaminated water directly on edible parts of plants being grown for human consumption.

Health effects of blue green algae

If you have swallowed large amounts of algae affected water, you may develop symptoms including:

• nausea
• bloody diarrhoea
• vomiting
• fever
• headaches.

Contact your GP if symptoms develop and let them know you may have been exposed to blue green algae."