Current Readings
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has endorsed guideline values to help manage risks associated with recreational water use. These guidelines aim to protect people from health issues linked to using freshwater for activities like swimming or boating.
Lake users should avoid areas with green-coloured surface algae, especially when it appears in large patches, and should keep themselves and pets out of the water in these conditions. Please also be aware that bacterial levels in the lake can rise for several days following heavy rainfall that causes water to flow into the lake.
If you have feedback about Lake Albert, please email lakealbert@wagga.nsw.gov.au.
Most recent samples recorded on: 23rd April 2025
| Blue Green Algae | Bacterial Content | |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Albert | Green | Low |
| No Alert Level Triggered | GREEN LEVEL Surveillance Mode | AMBER LEVEL Alert Mode | RED LEVEL Action Mode |
| Action Required | |||
| No restriction. |
No restriction. Routine monitoring to measure cyanobacterial levels. |
No restriction. Increased sampling to enable risks to be more accurately assessed | WWCC and health authorities to warn the public that the water body is considered to be unsuitable for water contact activities, such as swimming, bathing, sailing, skiing or other direct water-contact sports. |
Interpretation of Cyanobacterial alert levels for recreational water (a) | |||
<500 cells/mL M.aeruginosa Biovolume <0.04 for the combined total of all cyanobacteria. | 500 to <5000 cells/mL M.aeruginosa Biovolume equivalent of >0.04 to <0.4 mm3/L for the combined total of all cyanobacteria. | 5000 to <50,000 cells/mL M.aeruginosa Biovolume equivalent of 0.4 to 4mm3/L for the combined total of all cyanobacteria where a toxic producer is dominantf in the total biovolume OR 0.4 to < 10 mm3/L for the combined total of all cyanobacteria where known toxic producers are not present. | Level 1 guidelines 10μg/L total microcystins OR 50,000 cells/mL toxic M.aeruginosa or biovolume equivalent of 4mm3L for the combined total of all cyanobacteria where a known toxin producer is dominate* in the total biovolume OR 10mm3/L for total biovolume of all cyanobacteria material where the known toxins are NOT present. OR |
Health risks = Skin and eye irritation with prolonged contact. Gastrointestinal complaints (eg. vomiting, diarrhoea) from consumption of water. Boiling water does not remove toxins. Fish may be unsafe to eat due to bioaccumulation of toxins.
Livestock including companion animals can be particularly susceptible to toxins produced by algae.
| LOW | MEDIUM | HIGH |
| Action Required | ||
| No restrictions of use. Maintain regular monitoring. | Advise against primaryc contact. WWCC to erect signs. Maintain regular monitoring. | Advise against ALL use. WWCC to erect signs. Maintain regular monitoring. |
Interpretation of Faecal Coliform alert levels for recreational water (b) | ||
<150 cfu/100mLd OR <35 enterococci organisms/100ml | Median of last 5 samples 150 - 1,000 cfu/100mLd OR 35 - <230 enterococci organisms/100ml (Maximum number in any one sample: 60-100 organisms/100mL) | 1,000 cfu/100mLd OR 230 enterococci organisms/100ml (Maximum number in any one sample: 450-700 organisms/100mL) |
Health risks = Gastrointestinal complaints (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea) from consumption of water.
a NHMRC (2008) Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water. National Health and Medical Research Council
b ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000). Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. National Water Quality Management Strategy Paper no. 4. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council / Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.
c Primary contact: water used for primary contact activities, such as swimming, bathing or other direct water-contact sports.
d cfu/100mL = colony forming units per 100mL
e Median = The middle number
f Dominate = the species of interest (i.e. known toxic producer) comprises 75% or more of the total biovolume
Hydro2050 Trial
A six-month trial of Hydro2050’s new state-of-the-art treatment is currently being undertaken at Lake Albert in an effort to reduce and manage blue green algae.
Hydro2050 is technology that uses ultrafine bubbles of oxygen and ozone to increase the lake’s oxygen levels and manage the level of blue-green algae.
Council will assess results at the end of the trial and determine whether Council will continue its use of Hydro2050 into the future.