Grahamstown Dam, New South Wales

Location: Grahamstown Dam, NSW (Worimi Country)

Impact: Utility water

Focus: Algal blooms

Toxic blue-green algal blooms

Toxic blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms found in freshwater and marine environments. These bacteria can produce harmful toxins called cyanotoxins, posing risks to the health of people, domestic animals and wildlife.

Under specific conditions like warm temperatures and excessive nutrient levels, toxic blue-green algae can rapidly multiply, forming dense blooms that give the water a green or blue-green appearance. Once released, some toxins may persist for more than three months before they degrade.

Taking precautions like avoiding direct contact with the water and reporting sightings can help minimize the impact of these harmful algal blooms and protect our communities and ecosystems.

Implications for Water Management

• Reduced risk to resources: the technology reduces the necessity for manual algal inspections, thereby cutting the costs and potential risks associated with resources (people, vehicles and boats) associated with manual sampling.

• Improved resolution and visibility: near-real time and comprehensive visualisation of water quality at sites like Grahamstown Reservoir, with a surface area of 28 square kilometres, is made possible.

• Reduced exposure windows: access to a rapid algal risk management tool ensures delivery of information faster than current manual techniques and with greater spatial overview.