Ballarat City Council has closed Lake Burrumbeet for all uses following confirmation of a blue-green algal bloom on the lake.

Blue- green algae can result in taste and odour issues in water supplies.  Some species of blue-green algae produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals when they are consumed, inhaled or contact the skin.

Water affected by blue green algae can be unsuitable for drinking; for recreational activities such as swimming; and for fishing and agricultural uses.  Therefore Lake Burrumbeet is now closed until further notice for all of the following purposes to reduce risks to the health of people and animals:

• No swimming, water sports, wading.
• No fishing.
• No extracting water for stock or domestic use.
• No stock or pets should be allowed to make contact with or drink the water.

Warning signage advising the public that the Lake is closed to all activity will be erected within the next 24 hours.

Council will conduct daily visual inspections of the lake to observe any visible blooms, scum formation, evidence of dead fish and to check that warning signs remain in place.

Analysis of water samples from Lake Burrumbeet has revealed the presence of greater than 50,000 cells per millilitre of Microcystis species and 400 cells per millilitre of Anabaena species.  

Council has ordered further toxicity tests to determine whether the species present are producing toxins that may impact on fish, animals and people.  The toxicology results may take several days.

Council has contacted adjacent landowners in the Lake Burrumbeet area and will brief the managers of the Burrumbeet Caravan Park, advise the Burrumbeet Ski Boat Club and the Lake Burrumbeet Advisory Committee of the Lake’s immediate closure.

The Departments of Health, Sustainability and Environment, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and Central Highlands Water have all been notified of the outbreak.

Blue-green algae is frequently caused when large amounts of nutrients (nitrogen/phosphorous) which have been building up on surrounding land during dry weather flow into a waterway during heavy rain. 

Higher than normal temperatures and high ph readings in the water can also contribute to the problem.  In dry periods low water storage levels and low water inflows can also create similar problems.

Signs will be installed at:

• Boat ramps (Caravan Park), Sawyers Bay, South Shore.
• Park Entrances Sawyers Bay, Caravan Park Entrances, South Foreshore Entrance,
• and track entrances off Bo Peep Road
• Additional signs along north east shore in vicinity of recreation reserve and caravan park at 50 metre intervals.