Lake Ainsworth, located just north of Lennox Head, has been given the green light by Ballina Shire Council.
Recent testing indicated it was unsafe for swimming, yet the current advice is: ‘There are currently no restrictions on the recreational use of the lake’.
‘Any slicks and scums present should be avoided as they are areas of concentrated algae and may present a health risk’.
Ballina Council say a ‘Green Level’ occurs above 500 cells/mL of Microcystis aeruginosa or >0.04 mm3/L of total cyanobacterial biovolume but below the Amber alert level. At this level routine sampling for algae should be undertaken.
What are blue green algae?
According to Council, ‘Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are ancient single-celled organisms. Around 40 species are found in Australia, with some occasionally producing toxins. In Lake Ainsworth, species identified include Dolichospermum, Microcystis, Pseudanabaena, Chroococcus, Lyngbya and Oscillatoria’.
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