30 January 2002

The Water Directorate is very pleased to have prepared the Blue-Green Algae Management Protocols. This document complements the Blue Green Algae Action Flow Chart that was issued 12 months ago. This year, the release of these Protocols is again timely, given that the summer months are when water storages are most prone to the growth of blue-green algae.

It is the intent of these Protocols to provide factual, practical and simple information to assist in the management and operation of water supplies that may experience blue-green algal blooms giving sources of assistance, reference material and guidance in steps to be followed both before and during an incident. An objective of these Protocols is to achieve statewide consistency in managing blue-green algae in water supplies and recreational water bodies. This document has been developed based on information and guidelines already drafted by the State Algal Coordinating Committee and to supplement Regional Algal Coordinating Committees contingency plans as a part of the NSW Algal Management Strategy.

The preparation of the Blue-Green Algae Action Management Protocols was one of the Executive Committee's high priority tasks for 2001. It was overseen by members of the Water Sub-committee and the contribution of Mervyn Chapman, Armidale Dumaresq Council (chair), Simon Thorn, Coffs Harbour City Council, Wayne Beatty, Orange City Council, Kent Boyd, Parkes Shire Council and Murray Nash, Riverina Water County Council is greatly appreciated. We also acknowledge the assistance from some of the Government Departments directly involved in the management of blue-green algae including the Department of Health, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, the State Algal Coordinating Committee, Regional Algal Coordinating Committees and the Australian Water Quality Centre.

The Protocols have been distributed to all Public Health Units and Regional Algal Coordinating Committees in NSW thanks to the financial assistance of NSW Health.

Interested in other Water Directorate Publications? More information can be found at: Technical Publications

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