Parts of Hutt River off limits as toxic algae reaches red alert levels

Anne from Trentham

Parts of Hutt River off limits as toxic algae reaches red alert levels

(To help keep your dogs safe, please keep dogs either on lead or under control and away from Hutt River. This problem happens most summers and has killed dogs previously. But new dog owners may not be aware.)

From Dominion Post 14 January 2022
'Swimmers and dog owners are being asked to avoid areas of the Hutt River after high levels of toxic algae were found.

Toxic algae are a significant health risk as swallowing water containing the bacteria can cause serious illness, with pieces as small as a 50c coin enough to kill dogs.

Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Dr Evan Harrison said, monitoring data at the Hutt River at Silverstream Bridge, and Hutt River upstream of Silverstream bridge returned red alert levels of toxic algae.

“This means there are high levels of cyanobacteria present rendering the site unsuitable for swimming, and it should be avoided,” he said.'


The Hutt River gets a health check every week, monitoring for E.coli, toxic algae and nutrients


stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/127506134/parts-of-hutt-river-off-limits-as-toxic-algae-reaches-red-alert-levels